support, rely

托 is composed of the radical of 手 (hand) and 乇 (support). 乇 is a variant of 力 and depicts an arm forcefully lifting or supporting something upward. However, as 乇 developed other meanings, the character 托 was separately created to take its place. If something that is falling is supported by the hand, it will not injure the body. Therefore, 托 also carries the meaning of relying on or depending on.