Mao Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Hand (shǒu) Tà Kangxi Stroke Count: 17 Page 457, Entry 17 Ancient script form. According to the Tang Rhyme (Tangyun) and Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), the pronunciation is ta (falling tone). It means to strike or to whip. In the Book of Documents (Shangshu), section on The Beneficial Grain (Yiji), it says to strike in order to record it. Also, in the Charge to Yue (Shuoming), it says as if being whipped in the market. In the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), Earth Office, section on Local Officials (Lvxu), it says that for all affairs, manage the matters of comparison, wine cups, whipping, and punishment. The commentary notes that to whip is to strike. The sub-commentary explains that for those who lack courtesy, the light penalty is the wine cup, and the heavy penalty is whipping with sticks. In the Ceremonial Rites (Yili), section on Village Drinking Rites, it states to punish those who are disrespectful by whipping their backs. Also, it means fast. In the Book of Odes (Shijing), section on Odes of Shang, it says swift is that martial King of Yin. The sub-commentary explains that it conveys the meaning of speed. The Explanation of Text (Shiwen) cites the Han Odes as meaning to reach. Also, it refers to the side of the bow grip where the arrow rests, made of leather. In the Ceremonial Rites (Yili), section on Rites for the Death of a Scholar, it says to set up the leaning support. The commentary notes that in the modern script version, it is written as a variant form. According to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is sometimes written in a variant form. The original character was erroneously written as a variant.