拶 (zā) - to press or squeeze tightly & an instrument of torture used to crush fingers

拶Tone 1

zā ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical: 扌

悦丈

拶 · zā

to press or squeeze tightly;

an instrument of torture used to crush fingers;

to be in a tight situation.

to press or squeeze tightlyan instrument of torture used to crush fingersto be in a tight situation.

Usage highlights

finger press tortureto be hard pressedto apply pressureto squeeze tightlyinterrogation by squeezingto be in dire straits

Synonyms

  • 压— to press, to crush
  • 挤— to squeeze, to crowd
  • 逼— to force, to press

Antonyms

  • 松— loose, relaxed
  • 放— to release, to let go

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The interrogator used a finger press (拶指) during the trial.
  • She felt pressured from all sides (四面拶迫).
  • The ancient punishment involved squeezing the fingers (上拶刑).

Collocations

  • finger press torture(拶指)
  • to be hard pressed(拶迫)
  • to apply pressure(加拶)
  • to squeeze tightly(紧拶)
  • interrogation by squeezing(拶问)
  • to be in dire straits(窘拶)

Idioms

  • Pressed on all sides(四面拶逼)
  • In dire straits and pressed for time(穷蹙拶迫)
  • To press for a confession(拶问逼供)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Historically associated with judicial torture in imperial China, specifically the 'zanzhi' (拶指) method of crushing fingers.
  • The character appears in classical legal texts and historical records describing punishment methods.
  • In modern usage, it retains connotations of extreme pressure and constraint.

FAQ