Mao Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Hand (shǒu) Kangxi Strokes: 23 Page 464, Entry 19 Pronounced tan. Shuowen Jiezi (Dictionary of Explaining Words and Analyzing Characters): To open. Another definition: to spread out by hand. A New Account of Tales of the World (Shishuo Xinyu): Wang Rong spread books all over the bed. Poetry of Du Fu: Spreading money in broad daylight amidst the high waves. Also means to loosen or delay. Pronounced nan (falling tone): To press down. Pronounced nan (rising tone): Same meaning. Originally written as tan. Also written as the variant form tian. Also written in a variant form. The character tan was originally formed with the radical for hand.