The word 美德 is formed by combining two individual characters: 美, which originally depicted a sheep with large horns, representing concepts of beauty and goodness, and 德, which is composed of the radical 彳 indicating action or behavior, combined with components suggesting uprightness (直) and heart (心), collectively conveying moral virtue. Together, 美 modifies 德 to specify a virtuous character that is admirable or excellent, resulting in the compound term meaning "virtue" or "moral excellence".