You Collection, Lower Volume
Radical: Carriage (chē)
軛; Kangxi stroke count: 11; Page 1240, Entry 20
Pronounced è.
According to Correct Rhymes (Zheng yun), it is the crossbar at the front of a carriage shaft used to fit over a horse's neck.
Rites of Zhou (Zhou li), Winter Offices, Artificers Record (Kaogong ji): The pole-maker manages the yoke. Commentary: The pole-maker refers to the part between two carriage yokes. Exegesis: There are two horses pulling a carriage, and each horse has one yoke. The function of the yoke is to secure the horse's neck so it cannot break free.
Collected Rhymes (Jiyun): Sometimes written in a variant form (è).
Zhuangzi, Horse Hoofs (Mati): To put shafts and a yoke on a horse.
Also rhyming with yù (falling tone).
Ancient Poetry (Gushi): In the south there is a winnowing basket constellation, in the north there is a ladle constellation, the Cowherd constellation cannot pull the carriage yoke. It is not as firm as a foundation stone; what use is an empty reputation?