Chen Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Lack (qiàn) Kangxi Strokes: 11 Page 568, Entry 04 Pronounced xi. Shuowen Jiezi (Dictionary of Explaining Characters): To sob. Xu Kai says: To sob and sigh is the sound of gasping while weeping with choked breath. Another interpretation says it describes the appearance of fear. Qu Yuan, Encountering Sorrow (Lisao): I sighed and sobbed in my melancholy. History of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu), Biography of Feng Yan: A loyal official passes the ruins of the past and sobs. Commonly written as the variant form xi. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Chronological Table of the Feudal Lords: When Zhou made ivory chopsticks, Jizi sighed. Commentary: This is the same as the xi in xuxi. Han Yu, Poem Sending Off Qu Hong: Your integrity alone is enough to make one sigh. Commentary: Same as xi. Grief that does not cease. Pronounced xi (falling tone). Same meaning as above. Another interpretation: the sound remaining after weeping. Song Yu, Rhapsody on the Wind (Feng Fu): The cool air increases the sobbing. Zhang Heng, Rhapsody on the Southern Capital (Nandu Fu): Those sitting were mournful and sobbing. Commentary: Xi is pronounced xi (falling tone). Wang Sengqian, Essay Sacrificing to Yan Yanzhi: Enduring grief, I respectfully present these offerings. I pour a libation in deep remembrance, looking back and sobbing. Du Fu, Poem on the Desolate Village: The neighbors fill the walls, sighing and sobbing as well. All are read with a falling tone.