Definitions

(literary) to die by hanging or strangulation

Etymology phono-semantic

thread

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

缢 (and its traditional form 縊) is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic component, the silk/thread radical 纟 (糹 in traditional script), indicates an association with ropes or cords, which aligns with its primary meaning: to hang or strangle by the neck with a ligature. The phonetic component 益 provides the character's pronunciation.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern