Wei Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Silk (mì) Kangxi Strokes: 17 Page 935, Entry 27 Broad Rimes (Guangyun), Collected Rimes (Jiyun), Rime Collection (Yunhui), and Correct Rimes (Zhengyun) state the pronunciation is su (entering tone). Shuowen Jiezi says it means to be in disorder. It also means to contract. Erya, Explanations of Ancient Words (Erya Shigu) says: to release and to contract means to be in disorder. Commentary states: to release and to contract both refer to disrupting the law. Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial (Yili), Section on Village Drinking Rites: In the space between the stairs of the stone chime, position the drum and play it facing north. Commentary states: contracted means to follow. The flow follows from the east. The ancient character for contract was written as to wrinkle. Book of Rites (Liji), Section on Tan Gong: In ancient times, the cap was stitched vertically; now it is stitched horizontally. Commentary states: contracted means vertically. Erya, Explanations of Vessels (Erya Shiqi) says: to bind with a rope is called to contract it. Commentary states: to contract means to bind or restrain. Book of Odes (Shijing), Greater Odes (Daya): To tighten the wooden planks to load them. Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial (Yili), Section on Suburban Sacrificial Animals: Use thatch to strain the wine. Commentary states: to contract means to remove the dregs. Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), Fourth Year of Duke Xi: Nothing with which to strain the wine. Mencius: To reflect on oneself and be upright. Zhao Qi's commentary states: upright means righteous. Zhu Xi's Collected Commentary states: upright means straight. Strategies of the Warring States (Zhanguoce): To be restricted in wealth and resources is to be impoverished. Commentary states: it means to be deficient, the opposite of having a surplus. Explanation of Names (Shiming): People of Qi call the area in front of the carriage bolster contracted, referring to it being hunched and restricted. Yu Pian states: to retreat, to cease. Broad Rimes (Guangyun) states: to gather, to be short. A surname. Strategies of the Warring States (Zhanguoce): Su Gao of Anling. Rime Supplement (Yunbu) rhymes with shi (entering tone). Ban Gu, Odes on Obscure Connection (Youtongfu): The spirit settles the mandate before the heart, the mandate follows conduct in waxing and waning. The pivot of change does not pause, thus one encounters both expansion and contraction. Textual Research: Zuo Tradition, First Year of Duke Xi. Following the original text, changed to Fourth Year.