明正典刑 míngzhèngdiǎnxíng to punish according to law Origin Definitions Defs Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents 明 míng noun openly openly; publicly; aboveboard (as opposed to 暗 àn secretly)正 zhèng verb to correct to rectify; to put right; to adjust a position to be straight; to correct an error典刑 diǎnxíng to execute (archaic) To carry out a death sentence; to be executed.