Mao Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Dagger-axe (gē) Kangxi stroke count: 11 Page 413, Entry 05 Pronounced dié (rising tone) according to Tang Rhyme (Tangyun) and Collected Rhymes (Jiyun). According to Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it means sharp. It also carries the meaning of to remove or to excise.