The word 形容 is formed through the conceptual blending of its two component characters: 形 (xíng), meaning "form", "shape", or "entity", and 容 (róng), meaning "appearance", "countenance", or "to contain". It originates from the classical idea of depicting the "form and appearance" of something tangible. Over time, this concrete concept was abstracted into the act of using language to describe or depict the qualities, state, or essence of something, effectively using words to "give form to" and "portray" what is observed or felt.