You Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Speech (yán) 詈 Kangxi Strokes: 12 Page 1154, Entry 06 Pronounced li (falling tone). Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen): To curse. Yunhui (Dictionary of Rhymes): To confront and reproach someone directly is called罵 (ma), while involving others in the verbal abuse is called 詈 (li). Shiming (Explanation of Names): Li (詈) means to oppress (li), to harass others with evil words. It also means to separate (li), to obstruct or alienate others through speech. Book of Documents (Shangshu): The petty man resents you and curses you. Book of Odes (Shijing): In turn, cursing behind one's back. Book of Rites (Liji): Do not curse even when angry. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji): The King of Han scolded the various feudal lords and officials. Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen): The original character is composed of the radicals for net and speech. Changjian (Long Annotations): It resembles fabricating crimes, slandering and insulting one another. The vulgar form of the character uses the vessel (min) radical.