Refers to the hard outer covering of turtles, crabs, and similar animals.
A turtle's shell is very hard.
first rank; grade A; top class
Used in grading, ranking, or classification systems, often contrasted with 乙 (second) and 丙 (third).
My grade was an A.
This sake is top quality.
instep; back of hand
Anatomical term for the upper surface of the foot or hand.
The instep of my foot hurts.
Apply sunscreen to the back of your hands.
This product was rated grade A in the quality inspection.
Party A shall deliver the goods to Party B.
甲 marks the first party or top rank in a contrast, while 乙 marks the second party or rank just below it.
armor; armoring
thyroid gland
shell; carapace; plastron · (person's) back · years of experience
tortoiseshell · hexagonal pattern; honeycomb pattern · tortoiseshell bracket
carapace; shell; crust
armor; armour
beetle
A and B; first and second · difference in quality; superiority or inferiority
hand and wrist cover; gauntlet
The kanji 甲 originally depicted a seed sprouting with a hard shell, leading to meanings of 'hard outer covering' and, by extension, 'first' or 'top' in ranking systems.
tortoiseshell (hawksbill turtle) · tortoiseshell (Chinese soft-shelled turtle)
oracle bone script
crust-like shell
all A's; straight A's
weapons and armour · soldier · battle; war
armor-piercing
armor of small iron plates bound with leather cords
nail plate; nail bed
dome shape; dome
concha
arms; war; armed warrior
armored warrior