绞索 (jiǎo suǒ) — noose

Definition

A noose — the looped cord used for hanging, also used metaphorically as a tightening trap (e.g. 'the noose of debt').

noun
noose
Measure word · 条

Examples

  • ，绞索。
    Lì shǐ shàng, jiǎo suǒ shì chǔ jué fàn rén de gōng jù.
    Historically, the noose was a tool for executing criminals.
  • 绞索，。
    Zhài wù de jiǎo suǒ yuè shōu yuè jǐn, tā gǎn dào chuǎn bú guò qì lái.
    The noose of debt tightened, and he felt suffocated.
  • 绞索。
    Guì zi shǒu màn màn lā jǐn le jiǎo suǒ.
    The executioner slowly pulled the noose tight.

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jiǎostrangle
索suǒrope

绞 is strangling or hanging, and 索 is a rope; together they name a noose.

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.

Open 绞 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 糸糸mìthread
  • 𣎳𣎳𣎳strip fibres off a hemp stalk

索 combines 糸 (thread) and 𣎳 (stripping fibres from a hemp stalk), showing threads or rope being pulled out from a fabric.

Open 索 →

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