絡

A phono-semantic compound, consists of:

糸 (thread; silk) — semantic component, indicates relation to thread, weaving, or connection;

各 — phonetic element, supplies pronunciation "rak / luò."

Thus the original meaning suggests "threads winding or connecting together."

Semantic development:

- physical intertwining (threads);

- binding or fastening;

- network structure;

- contact or communication.

연락 (連絡) — contact; communication

맥락 (脈絡) — context; logical connection

경락 (經絡) — meridians (traditional medicine)

결락 (缺絡) — omission

絡 emphasizes:

- entangling connection;

- web-like linking.

It carries a softer nuance than 結 and a more intertwined nuance than 連.

Related characters:

連 — link; connect

結 — tie; knot

織 — weave

網 — net

脈 — vein; pulse

Among these, 絡 most clearly expresses connection through interwoven strands or network-like linking.

Classical usage:

絡繹不絕 — “continuous like interwoven threads”

經絡通暢 — “meridians flow smoothly”