Definitions
to cut the throat
Etymology phono-semantic
knife
Semantic:
刂
About
The character 刭 derives from its traditional form 剄, which structurally combines the phonetic component 巠 with the knife radical 刂 to denote the act of cutting the throat, a meaning consistently associated with execution by beheading in classical texts. Over time, the character's application remained narrowly focused on this specific form of violence, without expanding into broader usage. The simplified form 刭 maintains the knife radical while adapting the phonetic element, yet the character is now largely archaic, appearing mainly in historical or literary references to capital punishment.
Etymology Hide
