绞刑架 (jiǎo xíng jià) — gallows (execution device for hanging) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

The scaffold used to carry out hanging as a death penalty. A historical or museum object, not a modern device — the word 架 ('frame/rack') signals it is a structure, not the act or rope.

noun

gallows (execution device for hanging)

Measure word · 座

Examples

，绞刑架。
Zài gǔ dài, fàn rén bèi dài dào jiǎo xíng jià shàng zhí xíng jiǎo xíng.
In ancient times, criminals were brought to the gallows to be hanged.
绞刑架。
Zhè zuò bó wù guǎn lǐ chén liè zhe yí zuò gǔ lǎo de jiǎo xíng jià.
This museum displays an ancient gallows.
绞刑架。
Nà ge bào jūn xià lìng zài guǎng chǎng shàng jiàn zào le yí zuò jiǎo xíng jià.
That tyrant ordered the construction of a gallows in the square.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

绞刑hanging punishment

绞jiǎohang刑xíngpunishment

偏正Modifier + head

绞刑 is the hanging punishment, and 架 is the frame used for it.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 絞; 绞 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糸糸mìthread

Sound part声符shēngfú

交

交jiāo絞jiǎo

Same sound today

The traditional form 絞 pairs 糸 (thread) with 交 as the sound part; the simplified 绞 is a later abbreviation.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

井

井jǐng刑xíng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

刑 puts 刀 (knife) beside 井. The knife part shows the punishment idea, and 井 gives the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

加木架

Meaning part形符xíngfú

木木mùtree, wood

Sound part声符shēngfú

加

加jiā架jià

Same sound today

架 shows 木, meaning wood, with 加 giving the sound; it refers to a wooden prop.

Appears in

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