ancient execution weapons; capital punishment
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
axe and yue (ancient weapon); ancient executioner's axe
archaicRefers to a pair of ancient Chinese weapons—the fu (斧, axe) and the yue (钺, a large axe-like weapon)—which were used for beheading as a form of capital punishment.
The museum displays ancient fu-yue execution weapons.
The fu-yue was one of the important weapons in ancient times.
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The Son of Heaven bestowed upon the feudal lords bows, arrows, axes, and yue, after which they could campaign and punish.
noun
heavy punishment; capital punishment; execution (metaphorical)
archaicUsed metaphorically to refer to severe punishment or the death penalty, often in the context of officials risking their lives to offer honest advice to the throne.
Willing to risk execution in order to present my case.
Your servant is willing to risk the executioner's axe to speak frankly and offer remonstrance.
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Even if I suffer execution, I have nothing to fear.