Chou Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Earth (tǔ) Character: Dian Kangxi strokes: 16 Page 240, Entry 11 Pronounced dian. Broad Rhymes (Guangyun) and Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) define it as the base of a hall. The Erudite Elegance (Boya) states it refers to the base of a hall or a terrace. The Six Scripts Unification (Liushu tong) defines it as dregs or sediment. It is composed of the radical for Earth and the character for Palace Hall (dian). The character for Palace Hall carries the meaning of residing in the rear, referring to the substance that remains at the bottom after settling.