ケイ, おさか, ぎょう

punish, penalty, sentence, punishment

JLPT1 G7 S6 F864

The relevant oracle bone form of # is a depiction of handcuffs stretching about a prisoner's wrists, framing them in punishment. A bronzeware inscription form curves the vertical strokes. adds sword/knife → *punish* (by confinement, severing of body parts or by other means).

[Full Kanji Etymology List]