本末

本
末
the whole course of an event from beginning to end / ins and outs / the fundamental and the incidental

Characters and words in 本末

本
běn = b + (e)n3
root / stem / origin / source / this / the current / original / inherent / originally / classifier for books, periodicals, files etc
本 = 一 + 木 : Beelzebub (b) finds a Christmas tree (木) in the encampment ((e)n3) and feels like eating its roots (本). He uses a flute (一) to chop the roots right off.
末
mò = m + o4
tip / end / final stage / latter part / inessential detail / powder / dust / opera role of old man
末 = 一 + 木 : Mahatma Gandhi set up a giant flute on a Christmas tree, trying to raise awareness for the Roof of the World in the observatory's bathroom. He chose the flute and the tree as symbols for the sky and nature, but as Jehovah’s Witness enters, she thinks it's the sky that has fallen down on our heads, and the end of days is ultimately there.

Words with 本末

本
末
倒
置
lit. to invert root and branch (idiom); fig. confusing cause and effect / to stress the incidental over the fundamental / to put the cart before the horse

Sentences with 本末

本末 currently does not appear in any sentence.