拷

examine under torture

拷 is composed of the radical 手 (hand) and 考 (examine, old). 手 signifies striking or hitting, while 考 means investigation or scrutiny. In ancient times, law enforcement officials would beat suspects to elicit confessions during case investigations, as represented by 拷, meaning to torture or interrogate.

Vocabulary of 拷

  • 拷問 (question via torture)
  • 拷打 (flog)

Related Characters: