You Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Shell (bèi) Zeng Kangxi strokes: 19 Page 1212, Entry 15 Guangyun (Broad Rhymes) and Zhengyun (Correct Rhymes) state the pronunciation is zèng. Shuowen (Explaining Characters): To give gifts to one another as a token of affection. Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Zheng: I will give her my miscellaneous pendants as a gift. Commentary: Zeng means to present. Ceremonial Rites (Yili), Guest Rites: When the Duke sends an official to present a gift, it is treated as a visiting currency. Book of Rites (Liji), Tan Gong: With what shall I present you? Also, Book of Odes (Shijing), Greater Odes: To present to the Marquis of Shen. Commentary: Zeng means to increase. Sub-commentary: All gifts are meant to increase the status of the recipient. When one presents wealth, it increases their substance; when one presents words, it increases their virtue. Thus, it is said that to present is to increase. Zhengzitong (Correction of Characters): To posthumously confer an official title upon one’s ancestors is called a titled gift, bestowed by the grace of the imperial court. Also, Book of Odes (Shijing), Odes of Zheng: Knowing you have come, I present you with my miscellaneous pendants. Zhu Xi’s Commentary: Zeng is pronounced zé. Lai is pronounced lì. Maoshi Guyin Kao (Examination of Ancient Sounds in the Mao Odes): Lai is pronounced lí, and it is suspected that zeng is an error for the character yi. It is unclear which is correct, so it is recorded here for reference.