骨

Concrete and abstract senses:

1. Somatic: Bone, skeleton, or skeletal remains. Appears in anatomical contexts or divination.

2. Structural: Framework or the essential arrangement of a thing (e.g., a building or plan); the underlying support that maintains shape and integrity.

3. Moral/Psychological: Innate quality, irreducible character, fortitude, or nobility of spirit. Includes //gǔqì// (骨氣), referring to integrity and a refusal to bend under pressure.

• Primary function: Noun.
• Adjectival use: Bony, lean, or gaunt.
• Metonymy: In sacrificial or funerary contexts, may be used to refer to the entire body.

• 骨 (bone) vs. 肉 (flesh): A dichotomy contrasting permanence and hardness with transience and softness.
• 骨 (bone) vs. 髓 (marrow): Generally distinguishes outer structure/support from inner essence/vitality.