This is the 9412th most frequent Japanese word.
科す
To impose or inflict (a penalty, punishment, etc.).
In this sentence, '科す' is used to denote imposing a punishment upon someone, illustrating the application within judicial or disciplinary contexts.
彼は過失に対して罰を科されました。
He was punished for his fault.
Here, '科す' refers to the imposition of a responsibility or obligation, such as taxation, showing its use in administrative contexts.
政府は新しい税金を科しました。
The government imposed a new tax.
In this sentence, '科す' describes the act of assigning a task or burden, in this case within an educational setting.