The word 封杀 (fēngshā) is a compound formed by combining two characters, each with its own meaning, to create a metaphorical term. The first character, 封 (fēng), means "to seal", "to close", or "to block". The second character, 杀 (shā), means "to kill", "to slaughter", or "to terminate". When combined, the literal sense is "to seal and kill", but the term is used figuratively in modern contexts to mean "to block", "to suppress", or "to boycott", typically referring to the act of banning or ostracizing someone or something (e.g., a celebrity, product, or online content) from public view or participation, effectively ending their presence or influence in a given sphere.