Supplement You Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Foot (zú) Nie. Kangxi stroke count: 25. Page 1236. Collection of Character Supplements (Zihui Bu): This is a common variant form of the character nie, found in the book Epitome of the Four Histories (Sishi Zuanyao). Nie Pronounced nie (entering tone) Shuowen Jiezi: To step or trample. Dialect (Fangyan) by Yang Xiong: Nie means to ascend or climb. Explanation of Names (Shiming): Nie implies seizing and controlling. It means to ascend a high place and bring others into submission. Guangya: To wear shoes and walk. It also carries the meaning of being urgent or following closely. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals of Qin Shi Huang: To place oneself within the ranks of the military.