pry

撬 is composed of the radical of 手 (hand) and 毳 (fine animal hair). 手 conveys the idea of action performed by hand, while 毳 refers to the fine, soft down or fluff on birds and beasts; this down is light and soft, easily lifted or blown up by the wind. Thus 撬 expresses the action of prying open, levering up, or lifting something with a tool.