tip of a twig; branch tip
Literal botanical meaning: the very end of a tree branch or twig.
春になると、末梢に新しい芽が出る。
In spring, new buds appear at the tips of the twigs.
Extended physical sense: the far end or extremity of something, not limited to plants.
神経の末梢が損傷した。
The nerve endings were damaged.
trifles; minor details; trivial matters
Figurative use: unimportant or peripheral matters. Often used in expressions like 末梢にこだわる (to get caught up in trivial details).
See also: 末梢的
会議では末梢的なことばかり話し合われた。
Only trivial matters were discussed at the meeting.
彼はいつも末梢にこだわって本質を見失う。
He always gets caught up in minor details and loses sight of the big picture.
trivial; minor; peripheral
peripheral nerves
peripheral blood vessel
peripheral nervous system
Compound of 末 (end, tip) and 梢 (treetop, twig). Originally referred to the tip of a tree branch, later extended to mean the end of anything and then figuratively to trivial matters.