Hai Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Tooth (chǐ) Kangxi Strokes: 19 Page 1532, Entry 27 Pronounced yin. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to the roots of the teeth. It also describes a state of intense arguing. In the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), House of Lu, Confucius said: It is too severe; the decline of the moral atmosphere in the State of Lu. Between the Zhu and Si rivers, the people argue incessantly. Xu Guang says: In the area near the Zhu and Si rivers in the State of Lu, when crossing the river, the young help the elderly and carry their burdens for them. The moral atmosphere had become thin; the elderly felt uneasy and would defer to the young, appearing as if they were arguing, hence the phrase describing them as arguing with one another, which is a sign of moral decline. It also expresses feelings of resentment and dissatisfaction. In the History of the Later Han (Houhan Shu), Biography of Liu Xiang, it refers to court officials arguing incessantly. According to Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun), it refers to the flesh at the roots of the teeth. Pronounced yin. According to the Broad Rhymes (Guangyun), it describes the appearance of dogs fighting. Pronounced nian. Describes arguing or litigation. Pronounced qin. Refers to the lips. Pronounced yin. The meaning is the same. Pronounced nian. The meaning is smiling. Pronounced kun. Describes the appearance of teeth being exposed. One theory says it refers to gnawing. Pronounced ken. The meaning is smiling. Pronounced yan. The meaning is the same. Sometimes also written in a variant form (zhuan).