reason; circumstances; meaning
Refers to the reason, circumstances, or underlying meaning of a situation. Often used in explanatory or clarifying contexts.
He explained the reason for his lateness.
I don't really understand the meaning of that word.
Compound of 訳 (わけ, 'reason, meaning') and 柄 (がら, 'nature, character'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination conveys the sense of 'the nature of the reason' or 'the character of the meaning'.