擅

without authority / to usurp / to arrogate to oneself / to monopolize / expert in / to be good at

擅 = 亶 + 扌 : Sherlock Holmes (sh) finds a beautiful toy claw (扌) in the anthill's bathroom (an4), but he knows that he is not supposed to take it. Nevertheless, he bows very deeply (亶) and then usurps (擅) the toy claw anyway.

擅 character breakdown

擅
- 亶
  - 亠
    - 一
    - 丶
  - 回
    - 口
    - 囗
  - 旦
    - 一
    - 日
      - 一
      - 囗
- 扌
  - 亅
  - 二
    - 一

亶

dǎn = d + an3

surname Dan

亶

dǎn = d + an3

sincere

亶 = 亠 + 回 + 旦 : Mnemonic symbol: to bow and show how earnest you mean it.

Don Quixote (d) ordered a beer at the bar in the anthill (an3). The barkeeper questions whether or not Don Quixote will return (回) the mug (旦) after he finishes his beer, so Don Quixote bows and shows how sincere (亶) he is by handing over his beret (亠) as security deposit.

扌

shǒu = sh + ou3

"hand" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 64), occurring in 提, 把, 打 etc

扌 = 二 + 亅 : Mnemonic symbol: a toy claw.