Hai Collection, Lower Volume
Radical: Mouse (shǔ)
Kangxi Strokes: 22
Page 1529, Entry 10
Pronounced yan (third tone).
According to the Book of Rhymes (Guangyun), the Rhyme Collection (Yunhui), and the Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun), it is pronounced yan (third tone). According to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is pronounced yan (third tone).
According to the Jade Chapters (Yupian), it is a large mouse. According to the Book of Rhymes (Guangyun), it resembles a mouse in form, is as large as an ox, and enjoys lying down by a river to drink water.
According to the Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun), it is the name of a mouse. Another source identifies it as a mole-rat (fen).
According to the Comprehensive Dictionary of Characters (Zhengzitong), the mole is similar to a mouse but smaller, tailless, black, and possesses a long nose. It is also known as a mole-rat (fen). It is called a mole (yan) because it is often prone (yanfu). It is called a hidden mouse (yǐnshǔ) because it secretly travels underground. It is called a plow mouse (líshǔ) because it breaks the earth as if plowing. Mole (yan) is the general term.
According to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), it is pronounced yan (third tone). The meaning is the same. It is also written as a variant form (yan).
In the Zhuangzi: Free and Easy Wandering (Xiaoyaoyou), it is written as a variant form (yan).