Africa, flatter, fawn upon, corner, nook, recess
阿 centers on bending toward someone or something: flattering, fawning, or curving into a corner or recess. The Africa meaning is a phonetic loan unrelated to the core idea.
阿 combines ⻖ (hill, mound) with 可, which likely contributes the sound. The original meaning relates to a hillside or curved terrain, which extended to ideas of bending, flattery, and corners.
The hill radical ⻖ suggests a slope or curve. Picture someone curving their body in a bow on a hillside, flattering a superior, or retreating into a small corner of the hill.
For ア, imagine someone fawning with an exaggerated 'Ah!' of admiration: Ah -> ア, as they flatter from a corner of the room.
fool; idiot; simpleton
first Sanskrit alphabet letter
flattery; adulation
Awa (former province located in present-day Tokushima Prefecture)
Asura; demigod; anti-god; titan; demigods that fight the Devas (gods) in Hindu mythology
red-throated loon (Gavia stellata)
opium
Amitabha (Buddha); Amida
agonizing cries; pandemonium; two of Buddhism's hells
Om; Aun; syllable representing the primordial trinity of Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma
Namu Amida Butsu; Hail Amitabha Buddha; Homage to Amida Buddha
Amitabha Tathagata; Amithaba
high monk (esp. one of correct conduct who acts as a role model for his pupils); high priest
ending up right back where one started
greedy; ruthless; cruel; exploitative
bitch; shameless woman
temple hall containing an enshrined image of Amitabha
ridiculous
asafetida (Ferula assafoetida)
total idiot