Mao Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Hand (shǒu). Kangxi stroke count: 9. Page 424, Entry 08. Pronounced chou. A variant form of a character. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), some editions write it as you. It means to pull or to draw. In the Zhuangzi, Heaven and Earth chapter, lifting water is like drawing; the tool is called a jiegao (a lever-type well sweep). In Lu Ji’s Exposition on Literature (Wenfu), literary thought is described as being difficult, as if one were pulling silk threads. It also means to extract or remove. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), Zheng Winds section: turn to the left, and with the right hand draw an arrow. The commentary says this means to pull out an arrow to shoot. In the Lesser Odes of the Kingdom (Xiaoya) section: lush caltrops, referring to the need to remove those brambles. According to Yang Xiong’s Dialects (Fangyan), it also means to read. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), Yong Winds section: private words in the inner chamber should not be read. The commentary says reading is equivalent to drawing forth. The sub-commentary says drawing forth is like speaking out. It also refers to collecting. In Yang Xiong’s Mystery (Taixuanjing), various matters are collected by their threads. The commentary notes: each collects its results to complete the year's affairs. According to the Extensive Dictionary of Sounds and Meanings (Guangyun), it is interchangeable with the character chou (to reel silk). It also means to draw out. According to the Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), pronounced chou (rising tone). The meaning is the same.