Mao Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Hand (shǒu) Liao Kangxi strokes: 16 Page 456, Entry 07 Pronounced liao. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it means to arrange. Another source states it means to take something. To gather or take something is called liao. It also means to provoke or tease. In the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Weizhi), Biography of Pang De: He only held a long spear to provoke battle. In the poems of Han Yu: Do not provoke the apes and birds. Also pronounced liao (falling tone). It also means to take. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), Lesser Odes of the Kingdom, in the commentary on the passage concerning fishing: Siansian refers to a fishing trap. The sub-commentary explains: The trap is the fishing net known today as a liaogu. Also pronounced liao (rising tone). The meaning is the same. It also means to assist. Also pronounced lao (falling tone). Same as the word for to dredge or scoop. It also means to take something. Also pronounced lao (rising tone). The meaning is the same. The original form of the character was written as liao. The character liao is formed with the radical for hand.