noun
oppressive exaction; harsh levying
Refers to severe, exploitative collection of taxes or similar burdens. Rarely used alone; almost always appears in the four-character compound 苛斂誅求 (かれんちゅうきゅう).
See also: 苛斂誅求
「苛斂誅求」は、重い税を取り立てて民を苦しめることを意味する四字熟語です。
苛斂誅求 is a four-character idiom meaning to oppress the people through heavy taxation.
This is the full four-character compound in which 苛斂 normally appears; it means oppressive taxation and exploitation.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji 苛 (severe) and 斂 (collect, levy) combine to suggest harsh exaction, and the word is preserved mainly in the compound 苛斂誅求.