Chou Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Mouth (kǒu) Character: qi Kangxi strokes: 9 Page 185, Entry 24 Ancient form: xù Tang Dynasty Rhyme Dictionary (Tangyun), Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), Dictionary of Rhymes (Yunhui), and Corrected Rhymes (Zhengyun) define this as having the pronunciation qi (entering tone). According to the Explanation of Graphs and Analysis of Characters (Shuowen), it refers to whispering. The Jade Chapters (Yupian) notes that qiqi refers to the sound of gossip. The Broad Rhyme Dictionary (Guangyun) notes that qiqi refers to slanderous words. The Explanation of Graphs and Analysis of Characters (Shuowen) cites the Book of Odes (Shijing): qiqi fanfan. Note that in the modern version of the Book of Odes, section Lesser Odes (Xiaoya), this is written as jiji pianpian. Also, according to the Broad Rhyme Dictionary (Guangyun), it is pronounced ji (entering tone), and according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is pronounced ji (entering tone). The meaning is the same. The Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) notes it is sometimes written in a variant form. Also, according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is pronounced yi (entering tone). The meaning is the same.