Wei Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Mortar (jiù) Page 1003, Entry 04 Pronounced xian (falling tone). According to the Tang Rhyme (Tangyun) and the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), the pronunciation is identical to the character for pit or trap. The Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters (Shuowen Jiezi) defines it as a small pitfall. The character is composed of the radical for person above the radical for mortar, indicating that a hole formed by pounding the earth can cause a person to fall into it. The commentary by Xu Kai notes that this is like people today digging holes to trap tigers. It is a compound ideographic character. The Jade Chapters (Yupian) defines it as a pit. The Preparation for Uniform Script (Tongwen Beikao) refers to losing one's footing and falling into a pit. The character form depicts a person from the side added to the mortar radical, symbolizing a person inside a mortar. Also, according to the Extensive Dictionary of Rhymes (Guangyun) and the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), the pronunciation is kan (falling tone), with the same meaning. Some write it in a variant form.