shape, form, style
形 centers on the visible outline or appearance of something: its shape, form, or style. It can refer to physical contours or the manner in which something is expressed.
形 combines 开 (a frame or mold) with 彡 (hair or decorative lines), suggesting a shape or form produced by a mold. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the component combination is widely accepted.
The left side 开 looks like a frame or mold, and the right side 彡 resembles decorative lines or hair. Together, they show a mold shaping something into a specific form or style.
For ケイ, imagine a cake mold shaping a cake into a perfect form: cake -> ケイ, and the mold gives it shape.
(physical) form; shape; figure
form (as opposed to substance)
doll; puppet; marionette
formation; molding; making (up); taking form; giving form to
form; shape; figure
Yamagata (city, prefecture)
shape; form
transformation; variation; metamorphosis; modification; deformation; variety; deformity; monster
molding; moulding; shaping; forming; modelling (i.e. plastic arts); modeling
terrain; geographical features; topography
round shape; circle; circular form
fixed form; regular shape
triangle
figure; shape; graphic
traces; evidence
square
rectangle; oblong
draft; draught; promissory note; bill
solid (body)
description; expression (in words); qualification (e.g. of a noun with an adjective); modification; figurative expression; figure of speech; metaphor
memento (esp. of a deceased person); keepsake; heirloom; remembrance; souvenir
adjective; i-adjective (in Japanese)
formless; immaterial; intangible; incorporeal; abstract; moral; spiritual
condition; situation; prospects
floral pattern; flourish; ornament
character style; character form
original form; base form
freestyle (e.g. swimming event)
onnagata; male actor in female kabuki roles
fan shape
oval shape; egg shape
formal
orthopedic surgery; orthopaedic surgery; orthopedics; orthopaedics
elliptical shape; oval shape
intangible cultural asset