The word 笔迹 is formed through a direct conceptual synthesis of its two component characters: 笔 (bǐ), meaning "pen" or "writing brush", and 迹 (jì), meaning "trace", "mark", or "vestige". The character for the tool of writing is combined with the character for a lasting impression or mark to create a new, unified concept. This combination visually and notionally represents the tangible trace or unique imprint left by the act of writing, thus forming the complete meaning of "handwriting" or "script".