拭

wipe

拭 is composed of the radical 手 (hand) and 式 (style). 式 means a rule, standard, or model, and extends to the sense of perfection and purity. Something that is perfect and pure needs to be wiped clean at all times. Therefore, 拭 is used to mean to wipe or to clean by wiping.

Vocabulary of 拭

  • 拭淚 (wipe tears)
  • 拭目 (wipe one's eyes)

Related Characters: