The compound word **帝王** is formed through the combination of two semantically related characters: **帝** (dì), which originally referred to a "divine ruler" or the highest deity (later meaning "emperor," especially one with quasi-divine or mythological authority, like the Yellow Emperor), and **王** (wáng), meaning "king" or "sovereign ruler" in a more earthly, feudal sense. Together, they form a *binome* or *hendiadys* where the two terms complement and elevate each other, creating a single concept that encompasses the entirety of supreme, legitimate rulership—blending the divine/mythological majesty of an **帝** with the temporal power and royal lineage of a **王**. This fusion reflects the traditional Chinese ideal of the ruler who possesses both heavenly mandate and worldly authority, often used historically to refer collectively to emperors and kings throughout Chinese dynastic history.