About
The character 肱 is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic radical is 月 (ròu), the flesh radical, which indicates a body part. The phonetic component is 厷 (gōng), which provides the pronunciation. The character literally means the upper arm, from shoulder to elbow. Because the arm is vital for labor and support, its meaning metaphorically extended to denote a highly trusted assistant or indispensable aide, a usage common in classical texts to describe key officials.
Etymology Hide
