The kanji 抹 generally conveys the idea of "to erase," "to rub off," "to wipe out," or "to eliminate." It suggests removing something from a surface or completely getting rid of something. The core meaning focuses on the action of removing or eliminating.

・On-yomi (音読み): Matsu (マツ) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): kesu (けす)

⚫︎抹消（まっしょう） Translation: Erasure, cancellation, deletion ⚫︎抹布（まっぷ） Translation: A wipe, a cloth for wiping ⚫︎抹殺（まっさつ） Translation: Annihilation, suppression, to do away with

The kanji 抹 is a phono-semantic compound. The left side is the radical 手 (て, te), meaning "hand." The right side is 末 (まつ, matsu), which is a component that provides a sound and potentially hints at a meaning related to the "end" or "tip" (of something). The combination suggests the action of using one's hand to wipe or remove something completely, bringing it to an "end." The hand performing the action of wiping the surface is implied. The shape also evokes the removal of something until nothing is left.