Zi Collection, Middle Volume
Radical: Person (rén)
伶
Kangxi Strokes: 7
Page 97, Entry 03
Tang Rhyme (Tangyun), Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), and Rhyme Treasury (Yunhui): Pronounced ling. It means solitary. It also refers to teasing or performing. Lingren refers to officials who entertained the monarch. It also refers to performers, namely musicians. Ling Lun was an ancient musician whose descendants managed musical affairs, hence musical officials are called lingguan. According to the Preface to the Tang Music Bureau (Tang Yuefu Xu), Boya composed the Water Ling Melody. It also refers to servants; attendants are called shiling. It also refers to Jianling, which was a county name belonging to Yizhou Commandery. It also refers to lingli, meaning clever or sharp-witted. It also refers to lingding, which is the same as the character ling. Lingping is the same as the character ling. According to Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), it is also pronounced ling (falling-rising tone). It is also pronounced ling (falling tone). The meanings are the same.