pick, pluck

摘 is composed of the radical 手 (hand) and 啇 (essence). 手 represents physical action, while 啇 conveys the authority of a monarch's words, extending to imply appropriateness or proper selection. When gathering or picking items by hand, one naturally chooses what is most suitable or ripe; thus, 摘 was formed to denote picking, plucking, or selecting.