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(che) [Mandarin Chinese “life energyâ€] one of the basic substances that according to traditional Chinese medicine pervade the body; a subtle influence or vital energy that is the cause of most physiologic processes and whose proper balance is necessary for maintaining health. Several types of qi are present in the body; disturbances, such as blockage in the flow of qi along the meridians (q.v.), cause disease. Spelled also chi and ch'i.Medical dictionary. 2011.