Lingchi is translated variously as the slow process, the lingering death, or slow slicing. It was also routinely known as 'Death by a Thousand Cuts', a form of torture and execution used in China from roughly 900 CE until it was banned in 1905. It has also been used in other countries such as Vietnam and Korea.

In 'Death by a Thousand Cuts' (Lingchi), it was a form of execution where a knife was used to methodically remove portions of the body over an extended period of time, eventually resulting in death. It was reserved in China for crimes viewed as especially severe, such as treason. However, by the time of the final imperial dynasty, the punishment could be meted out for an offense as simple as striking a teacher.

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