Mao Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Hand (shǒu). Kangxi strokes: 8. Page 422, Entry 02. Ancient form of the character kang (kàng). Tang Rhyme (Tángyùn) gives the pronunciation as kang (falling tone). Collection of Rhymes (Jíyùn), Rhyme Anthology (Yùnhuì), and Correct Rhymes (Zhèngyùn) give the pronunciation as kang (falling tone). Pronounced kang (falling tone). Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuōwén Jiězì): To defend. Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial (Yílǐ): To place wood horizontally with three across and two lengthwise. Commentary: To defend means to resist; it is that which is used to restrain the earth. Also, Wide Rhyme (Guǎngyùn): To lift. Book of Rites (Lǐjì): The Duke of Zhou raised the standard of the heir apparent to be like that of Boqin. Commentary: Raised the standard of the heir apparent so that he would reside with King Cheng and learn from him. Also, Record of Music (Yuèjì): The voice of the singer is like rising and lifting up, and like falling and dropping down. Sub-commentary: The singing voice rises high, moving people’s spirits as if lifting and holding them up. Also, to lift something with the hand. Huainanzi (Huáinánzǐ): One hundred people lifting a floating object is not as effective as one person carrying it while running. Also, to shake, to screen. Also, Added Rhymes (Zēngyùn): To resist, to oppose. Book of Han (Qiánhànshū): When Zigong visited the feudal lords, there was no prince in the states he visited who did not clear the courtyard to exchange courtesies with him as an equal. Also, Yangzi’s Dialects (Fāngyán): To hang or suspend. East and west of a mountain is called kang; in the outskirts of Yan and Zhao, hanging objects above a platform is called tiao. Also, Collection of Rhymes (Jíyùn): Pronounced gang. Identical to gang. Also means to lift. Book of Odes (Shījīng): The great target is already raised. Commentary: Lifting the target bullseye and placing it upon the frame. Mao Commentary: Pronounced kang (falling tone). Zhu Commentary: Pronounced gang. Also, Tang Rhyme (Tángyùn): Pronounced hang. Collection of Rhymes (Jíyùn): Pronounced hang. Meaning is the same. Cai Yong’s Explanations (Shìhuì): When the nine rivers overflow, they cannot be defended in one place. When there are a million armored soldiers, they cannot be resisted by one brave man. Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuōwén Jiězì): Kang is sometimes written with the wood radical. Xu Xuan says: Common usage today follows the pronunciation hang. Separately listed under the Wood radical. The character kang (kàng) is listed under the radical top (tóu).
