The Chinese word **瑕疵 (xiácī)** is formed through the combination of two semantically related characters, each meaning a type of flaw, to create a single abstract noun meaning "defect" or "blemish." The first character, **瑕 (xiá)**, originally referred specifically to a flaw or impurity in jade, while the second, **疵 (cī)**, referred to a flaw or defect in silk. When compounded, their individual meanings merge and generalize, moving from these specific, concrete imperfections to describe any minor fault or shortcoming in an object, person, or situation, thus creating a word whose combined meaning is broader and more metaphorical than either character alone.