Si Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Fire (huǒ). Kangxi stroke count: 12. Page 673, Entry 24. Pronounced cui (falling tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters) defines it as: A method of tempering a blade to make it hard. Yupian (Jade Chapters) defines it as: To immerse red-hot iron in water. It also refers to warming something. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Treatise on the Celestial Offices: When fire and water meet, it is called cui. Commentary by Jin Zhuo states: Fire entering water is cui. Biography of Jing Ke: Have the craftsman temper it with medicinal substances. Commentary by Suoyin states: Cui means to dye or stain. Book of Han (Hanshu), Biography of Wang Bao: Temper its edge in clear water. Commentary by Shigu states: Cui refers to heating an object until red-hot and then placing it into water to harden it. Yunhui (Collection of Rhymes) defines it as: To burn. Xunzi, Chapter on Dispelling Blindness: There was a man who, while lying down, burned his own palm with fire; this could be called an ability to endure. Commentary: Cui means to burn or scorch. Yunhui (Collection of Rhymes) notes: It is used interchangeably with the character cui (to temper).