Mao Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Hand (shǒu) Kangxi Strokes: 15 Page 450, Entry 11 According to Tang Rhymes (Tangyun), pronounced gai. According to Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun) and Rhyme Collection (Yunhui), pronounced gai. In the Shuo Wen Jie Zi (Shuowen), it means to cleanse. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), Kuai Feng section, in the commentary on the passage concerning cleansing the cauldron and steamer, it is noted that the character is originally written as the current entry. Also pronounced ai. In the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Heaven Officials, regarding the matrons leading the female officials to wash and cleanse the ritual grain, the commentary notes that it means to wipe. In the Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial (Yili), in the Shaolao Offering Ritual, it is recorded that the kitchen official cleanses the cauldron, ladle, and cutting board at the kitchen stove, and the granary official cleanses the steamer, lid, and ladle at the granary stove. Commonly written as the character for irrigate. Also, according to Tang Rhymes (Tangyun), Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), and Rhyme Collection (Yunhui), pronounced xi. According to the Guang Ya (Boya), it means to take. Another definition is to wipe. Sometimes written as a variant form.