burning at the stake; execution by fire
Refers to the historical punishment of tying someone to a stake and burning them alive. Can also be used figuratively for severe criticism or a 'trial by fire'.
中世ヨーロッパでは、魔女とされた人が火あぶりにされた。
In medieval Europe, people accused of being witches were burned at the stake.
彼の新作は批評家から火あぶりにされた。
His new work was roasted by the critics.
焚刑 is another formal term for burning at the stake, less common than 火刑.
Most common spelling; uses kana for the second part, making the reading clear.
Kanji spelling using 炙 (roast, broil); less common but still seen.
Rare variant using 焙 (roast, fire); not commonly used.
Compound of 火 (hi, 'fire') and 炙り (aburi, 'roasting', nominalized form of 炙る, 'to roast'). Literally 'fire-roasting', referring to execution by burning.