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髀 (bì) is a phono-semantic compound: the radical 骨 (gǔ, 'bone') on the left anchors it in the body's skeletal domain, while 卑 (bēi) on the right supplies its pronunciation. It is the standard anatomical term for the thigh and, by extension, the femur , the large bone of the upper leg in both humans and animals. In classical literature, 髀 is intimately tied to horseback riding. A recurring motif is the lament of military commanders who, during long peaceful interludes, watch flesh accumulate on their thighs and rue their faded days of mounted combat.
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