Wei Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Silk (mì) 線 Kangxi Stroke Count: 15 Page 930, Entry 05 Broad Rimes (Guangyun), Collected Rimes (Jiyun), and Rhyme Compendium (Yunhui) define it as pronounced xian (falling tone). Correct Rimes (Zhengyun) defines it as pronounced xian (falling tone). Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen) states that xian is the ancient form of the character. Book of Rites (Zhouli), Offices of Heaven (Tianguan), section on Tailors states, The tailor is responsible for the royal palace sewing thread affairs. Commentary: xian means thread. Also found in Winter Offices, Artificers Record (Kaogongji), section on Armourers: Examine the thread, wanting it to be concealed. Commentary: This refers to the thread used for sewing carriages. Collected Rimes (Jiyun) also records the variant form xuan.