Chou Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Earth (tǔ) Entry: Zeng Kangxi Strokes: 15 Page 238, Entry 25 Tang Rhymes (Tangyun) states it is pronounced zeng. Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) and Rhyme Collection (Yunhui) state it is pronounced zeng. Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun) states it is pronounced zeng. According to Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen), it means to increase. Another source states it means to stack or layer. Book of Odes (Shijing), Lesser Odes (Xiaoya) states: Like the rising of a river, there is nothing that does not increase. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Huang Ba states: The number of households increases year by year. It also means numerous. Book of Odes (Shijing), Eulogies of Lu (Lusong) states: The troops are numerous and thick. It is also used interchangeably with the character for layer or tier. Zengcheng is a Han dynasty palace; see the preceding entry for the character for city. Yang Xiong, Rhapsody on Sweet Springs (Ganquan Fu) states: The layered palaces are uneven and high. It is also used interchangeably with the character for once or formerly. Also, according to Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun), Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), and Rhyme Collection (Yunhui), it is pronounced zeng (falling tone). It means surplus.