Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Metal (jīn) Gu Kangxi stroke count: 16 Page 1312, Entry 06 Pronounced gu Shuowen Jiezi (Dictionary of Explanations and Analysis of Characters) says: To seal by casting. Xu says: Casting copper or iron in order to plug something. History of the Former Han (Qianhan shu), Biography of Liu Xiang: Even if one were to seal off the Southern Mountains, there would still be more. The commentary says: Gu means to block or plug. Fangyan (Regional Speech) commentary: Gu means to be firm and solid. Guangyun (Broad Rhymes): Jin-gu (prohibition of office) means to bind tightly. Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), Year 2 of Duke Cheng: Zifan requested to use heavy gifts to bar him from office. The commentary says: To prohibit from holding office. History of the Later Han (Houhan shu), Biography of Partisan Prohibitions commentary: This refers to blocking the path to official advancement. History of the Former Han (Qianhan shu), Biography of Jia Yi: If we do not govern it now, it will certainly become a chronic illness. The commentary says: A long-lasting, deep-seated illness. It is commonly written in the variant form gu (chronic disease). It is also commonly used interchangeably with the character for firm (gu).