残

cán = c + an2

to destroy / to spoil / to ruin / to injure / cruel / oppressive / savage / brutal / incomplete / disabled / to remain / to survive / remnant / surplus

残 = 戋 + 歹 : The King of Chu (c) invited the wicked witch (歹) to try his floating tank (戋) in the anthill's kitchen (an2) and without waiting he pushed the wicked witch in and closed the lid. After a while he checked on her and found to only the complete tank, but also the wicked witch absolutely ruined (残).

残 character breakdown

残
- 戋
  - 一
  - 戈
    - 丿
    - 弋
- 歹
  - 一
  - 夕

戋

戔

jia̅n = ji + an1

narrow / small

戋 = 一 + 戈 : Mnemonic symbol: a narrow and small floating tank.

戋 = 一 + 戈 : Joan of Arc keeps guard in front of the anthill, her spear at her side. All has been quiet for a long time though, so she just prefers to play her flute all day.

歹

dǎi = d + ai3

bad / wicked / evil / Kangxi radical 78

歹 = 一 + 夕 : Mnemonic symbol: a wicked witch.

Don Quixote (d) is hypnotized by a wicked witch (歹) playing her flute (一) in the airplane (ai3). She's playing her magic flute in order to sedate Don Quixote, so that her bats (夕) can drink his blood.