Si Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Water (shuǐ)
Teng
Kangxi stroke count: 14
Page 643, Entry 07
Pronounced teng.
Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Graphs and Analysis of Characters) states it refers to water surging or leaping up. It is used interchangeably with the character meaning to leap or gallop. Book of Odes (Shijing) mentions all rivers are boiling and surging. It also describes the appearance of opening the mouth to speak fluently. The Book of Changes (Yijing) refers to letting one's mouth speak freely.
According to the Erya (Approaching Elegance), which interprets ancient words, the term can mean empty.
Also, it is the name of a state. The Zuo Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals (Zuozhuan) notes that Gao, Yong, Cao, and Teng were the descendants of King Wen.
The Jiyun (Collected Rhymes) notes it is sometimes written in a variant form.