Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Gate (mén) Kangxi stroke count: 16 Page 1337, Entry 12 Pronounced yan. Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters): The gate of a neighborhood. History of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu), Biography of Ban Gu: Neighborhood gates numbering nearly one thousand. Annotation: The Zilin (Forest of Characters) says: Yan is the gate of a neighborhood. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), House of Yue: Although Zhuang Sheng lived in a poor neighborhood, he was known throughout the state for his integrity and uprightness. Also, Yupian (Jade Chapters): A lane. Boya (Broad Refinements): Yan is called a lane. Also, Fangyan (Regional Speech) by Yang Xiong: Yan-shan means to open. In eastern Qi, opening a door is called yan-shan. Also, to urge. Fangyan (Regional Speech) by Yang Xiong: Shi-yan means to urge. In southern Chu, when someone does not wish to be happy, but those around them entice them, or does not wish to be angry, but those around them make them angry, this is called shi-yan. Some call it encouraging. Also, a surname. Yan Zhi. Appears in Zuo Zhuan (Commentary of Zuo), 18th Year of Duke Wen: Yan Ao, a grand officer of Chu. Appears in the 18th Year of Duke Zhuang. Also, pronounced xun. Guiyan, a place name. Located in Yingchuan. Zuo Zhuan (Commentary of Zuo), 20th Year of Duke Zhao: Battle at Guiyan. Annotation: In the northwest of Changping County, Yingchuan, there is Yan Pavilion. Commentary on Pronunciation: Yan, pronounced like lian. Also, a county name. Zuo Zhuan (Commentary of Zuo), 9th Year of Duke Zhao: The people of Gan in Zhou disputed the Yan fields with Yan Jia of Jin. Annotation: Yan Jia was the grand officer of Yan County in Jin. Commentary on Pronunciation: Yan, pronounced like lian. Also, pronounced yan. Shuowen Jiezi (Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters): Beautiful and tall. Wuyin Yunhui (Collection of Rhymes by the Five Sounds): Beautiful appearance. Also, long clothing. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Sima Xiangru: Slender and with long flowing robes. Annotation: Yan-yi refers to the appearance of long clothing. Also, pronounced yan. A place name. Zuo Zhuan (Commentary of Zuo), 20th Year of Duke Zhao: Guiyan. Commentary on Pronunciation: Also pronounced like yan. Jiyun (Compilation of Rhymes): Sometimes written as a variant form.