挾

挾 icon

hold between, coerce

挾 is composed of the radical 手 (hand) and 夾 (clamp). 夾 depicts one person clamping two others under their armpits, already implying coercion or holding hostage. As 夾 later developed other meanings, 手 was added to create 挾 specifically for this action, meaning to coerce or hold under duress.

Vocabulary of 挾

  • 挾持 (seize)
  • 要搚 (threaten)
  • 挾帶 (carry along)

Related Characters: