perish, eradicate

翦 is composed of 前 (forwards) and 羽 (feather). 前 conveys the idea of a boat docking at the shore and then continuing on foot after landing, representing a switch in the mode of transportation, and carries the meaning of cutting off or severing. Therefore, 翦 conveys the idea of removing feathers. A bird without feathers cannot fly and is effectively as good as dead. Thus, 翦 is used to mean to annihilate, eradicate, or eliminate.