Chou Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Mouth (kǒu)
Kangxi stroke count: 9
Page 186, Entry 15
Pronounced zhǐ
Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen): According to the regulations of the Zhou Dynasty, units of length such as the cun (inch), chi (foot), zhi (span), and xun (fathom) were all based on the human body. The length of a palm of a woman of medium height is eight cun, which is called one zhi, and this is the foot of the Zhou Dynasty.
Zuo Zhuan (Zuozhuan), ninth year of Duke Xi: The majesty of the Son of Heaven is at a distance of a mere zhi or chi (a very short distance).
Guoyu (Guoyu), Jin Yu: Duke Wen of Jin studied books under Jiu Ji. After three days, he said: Although I am unable to put these into practice, I have heard much in terms of insight.
Note: Zhi refers to a very close distance.
Guoyu (Guoyu), Lu Yu: The Sushen people presented hu wood arrow shafts and stone arrowheads, measuring one chi and eight cun.
Also, Guoyu (Guoyu), Chu Yu: This is merely to know a little of the heavenly way; how can one understand the laws for governing the people?
Note: Zhi denotes a small amount, meaning one only knows a little bit of the heavenly way, how could one understand the methods of governing the masses.
Also, Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang (Youyang Zazu): The book list contains a volume titled Tianzhi.
Jiyun (Jiyun): Sometimes also written in a variant form.