center; end; to beg; to plead
Pictograph of a person (大) with a cangue (torture device for punishing criminals) around his neck. People wearing such devices were not able to reach their mouth with their own hands, and were forced to beg for food.
《說文》：“央，中央也。从大在冂之內。大，人也。央、旁同意。一曰久也。”