yodan verb with 'ku' ending (archaic)
to hang oneself; to strangle oneself
Archaic verb for self-inflicted hanging or strangulation. Not used in modern Japanese; replaced by 首を吊る (くびをつる) or 自殺する (じさつする).
In classical language, 'wanaku' referred to strangling oneself.
yodan verb with 'ku' ending (archaic)
to wring the neck; to strangle (someone)
Archaic verb for strangling another person or wringing a neck. Modern equivalents include 首を絞める (くびをしめる) or 絞殺する (こうさつする).
In old documents, it is written that criminals were 'wanaku' (strangled).
Modern equivalent for 'to strangle someone', commonly used today.
Archaic kanji spelling; the character 縊 specifically means 'to hang' or 'to strangle'.
Archaic variant spelling; 経 is not commonly associated with strangling in modern Japanese.
Archaic variant spelling; 絞 means 'to wring' or 'to strangle'.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji 縊 is associated with hanging or strangling, and the reading わなく may be related to classical Japanese verb forms.