報 (bào)

to announce, to report; newspaper; payback, revenge

Etymology

Depicts a person being subdued (𠬝) by shackles (㚔). Based on the original meaning "punish". The meaning later shifted to "revenge", "recompense", "report", and "announce".

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“報,當罪人也。从,从。,服罪也。”

Original meaning

punish

Components