Chou Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Mouth (kǒu) Character: Shi Kangxi Stroke Count: 16 Page 210, Entry 10 Pronounced shi. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it means to eat or a beak. According to the Jade Chapters (Yupian), it means to gnaw or bite. The Book of Changes (Yijing) states: That which has something inside its jaws is called the Biting Snap (shike). The Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), Year 6 of Duke Zhuang, states: If you do not plan early, you will later gnaw your navel. According to Yang Xiong's Regional Speech (Fangyan), shi means to eat. Also, in the Book of Odes (Shijing), Tang Odes, it says: That gentleman, will he be willing to come to me? The commentary states: Shi means to reach or arrive. The Explanation of Text (Shiwen) notes: Shi is pronounced shi, though in the Han version of the Odes it is written as shi, meaning to reach. According to Yang Xiong's Regional Speech (Fangyan), shi means to reach or arrive; in Northern Yan, it is called shi. It also means to be anxious. According to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is also pronounced ye, meaning to gnaw.