The word 麻痹 (mábì) is a compound term formed through semantic combination, where both characters contribute to a layered meaning. The first character, 麻 (má), originally denotes physical numbness (as from acupuncture or hemp fibers causing tingling), while the second, 痹 (bì), is a traditional medical term referring to blockage, numbness, or paralysis of the limbs. Together, they create a term that first literally describes a loss of sensation or motor function, and by metaphorical extension, conveys a state of mental negligence, complacency, or being lulled into inattention. Thus, the formation evolves from a concrete physiological condition to an abstract psychological or behavioral state.