to lower / to decrease / to reduce / to subtract / to diminish
减
=
冫
+
咸
:
Joan of Arc (ji) found that there's a giant popsicle (冫) obstructing the way to the bar inside of the anthill (an3). To clear the way, she reduces (减) the size of the popsicle by scattering salt (咸) all over it.
to press / to push down / to keep under (control) / pressure
压
=
厂
+
丶
+
土
:
Maud Younger once heard that if you apply enough pressure, one can make diamonds out of dirt. In front of the ashram, she tries this out: She puts some dirt into a chocolate factory, applies as much pressure as she can, but all that comes out are petal leaves.
症
=
正
+
疒
:
The stick figure (正) is visiting James II of England (zh) in the engine's bathroom ((e)ng4) to have him investigate his colorful rash (疒). Unfortunately James II of England has to tell him that he has cancer (症).