qi

The word qi may be little, but boy is it energetic. In fact, qi stands for the energy in everything. (It's also a handy word to know in Scrabble.)

In Chinese philosophy, qi, also spelled chi or ch'i, is the life force that every person, plant, animal, and thing — including inanimate objects — has. Chinese medicine and acupuncture both address the concept of qi; if you're feeling a little under the weather, an unbalanced qi may be the culprit. Martial arts also uses the concept: If you've ever practiced tai chi, then you're already familiar with qi, just with a different spelling.

Definitions of qi

1. noun

   the circulating life energy that in Chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent in all things; in traditional Chinese medicine the balance of negative and positive forms in the body is believed to be essential for good health
   synonyms: ch'i, chi, ki

   type of:

   energy, vim, vitality

   a healthy capacity for vigorous activity