Wei Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Tongue (shé) Kangxi Strokes: 14 Page 1007, Entry 16 Pronounced shì. As defined in the Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters (Shuowen), to use the tongue to lick or gather something. Currently written as tian. Sometimes written as shi. Sometimes also written as gua. As stated in the Exhortation to Learning (Xunzi), to crawl on the ground and lick the sky. In the Biography of Empress Deng from the History of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu), to dream of oneself licking the sky. Also written as ta. In the Biography of King Pi of Wu from the History of the Former Han (Qian Hanshu), to finish licking the chaff and then proceed to lick the rice.