You Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Speech (yán) 譣 Kangxi Strokes: 20 Page 1183, Entry 02 Pronounced xian Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Graphs and Analysis of Characters): To ask or inquire. It cites the Book of Zhou (Zhoushu), saying do not use this to question people. In the current version of the Book of Documents (Shujing), specifically the chapter Establishment of Government (Lize), this character is written as a variant form (xian). Ma Rong explains: The variant form refers to a fawning person who is sharp-tongued and clever in speech. Also, according to the Jade Chapters (Yupian): Partial or biased speech. According to the Dictionary of Characters (Zihui): This refers to deceitful and treacherous speech. Also, pronounced qian Also, pronounced xian. The meaning is the same. Also, pronounced yan According to the Guangya (Broad Refinement): To verify or confirm. Note: Cao Xian's phonetic commentary states: People nowadays use the character for verify (yan) with the horse radical, and they no longer use the character for verify (xian), which is an error.