Lexicon Fragment (Page 21)

This manuscript is a classic example of a "Rhyme Dictionary," an essential tool for ancient scholars to write poetry and understand correct pronunciation. Each bold entry is a character, followed by a small-font definition or note.

Lǚ [Hem] a human head original: 人首; this is a rare definition for this character, which usually refers to the hem of a garment Shū [Different] the name of a tree; also written as ...? Lóu [Building] a newborn child Lóu [To wear] one definition says: water Lóu [Mole-cricket] the mole-cricket or ant Lí [Wildcat] ...

Lóu [Skull] a skull Lòu [Engrave] hard iron Lóu [Sower] an agricultural tool used for sowing seeds Lóu [Diligent] appearing respectful and diligent ...

Lǚ [Thread] silk threads of blue and yellow Lǚ [Tatters] clothing [Unidentified] ...

Dài [Wait] paired eyes Jué [Disappointed] ... Jué [Shrike] a type of bird... Jué [Shrike] same as above...

Chuò [To Sip] to drink Rǔ [To Dip] to dip one's hand into something Yuè [To Suck] the sound of sipping Cuán [Mountain Peak] ...

Liè [Inferior] weak or feeble Shuō [To Speak] ... Duó [To Estimate] ...

Zhuì [Libation] to perform a sacrifice Tuì [Pleasant] ... Zhuō [Joist] ...

Chuò [Weary] the appearance of being weary or sad Zhuì [Stitch] to connect or join together Chuò [To Sob] ... Chuò [To Sip] to drink; also pronounced similarly to the character for 'sob' Zhuì [Libation] to perform a sacrifice...

Kuì [Ashamed] to feel ashamed Guì [Dim-sighted] slanted eyes; also pronounced like "jiàn"? Diàn [To Offer] an offering made on a mountain; also a type of grain? Yú [Fragment] broken bits of grain Lì [Hub] the inner hole of a carriage wheel hub

Mó [To Feel] to feel with the hand; also pronounced like 'máo' Mó [Lady Mo] Lady Mo, the wife of the legendary Yellow Emperor According to legend, Lady Mo was the Yellow Emperor's fourth wife, famed for her wisdom despite her plain appearance. Mó [Blurred] indistinct or blurred Mò [Obscured] blurred vision; also pronounced...

Pú [Bodhi] the first character in the term for Bodhisattva original: 菩薩; a being who seeks enlightenment for the sake of all living things Pú [Cattail] a reed-like water plant; also the name of a fish Fān [Basket] a large winnowing basket; or a large beard Yù [Enclosure] pronounced like 'zhù'; tools used by the King's gamekeepers original: 王虞人; ancient officials in charge of royal parks and hunting grounds Mó [Plan] to plan or deliberate Mò [Sickness] illness; also pronounced 'mù' Mù [Yearn] to think of someone or long for them Mò [Gallop] to ride swiftly Mù [Curtain] a pavilion or tent Qí [Bean] a bean Zhēn [Luxuriant] the appearance of lush, thick grass

Lì [Beam] a roof beam Lì [Coarse] coarse, unpolished rice Lì [River] the name of a river in the region of Li? Lì [Severe] ... Lì [Lychee] ... Lì [Example] to compare; a precedent Lì [Whetstone] a stone used for grinding Lì [Oyster] ... Lì [Perverse] ...

Gū [Orphan] a fatherless child Guā [Cry] the sound of a child crying Gū [Net] a large fishing net Gū [Wild Rice] a water plant; located at the Ying Gate Gū [Angular] the name of a tree Yóu [Travel] ... Gǒu [Ant] ... Gù [Chronic] ... Gū [Partridge] ...

Yǔ [Hunchback] to be hunched or bent over Yǔ [Bird] the name of a bird Huáng [Horse] the name of a horse Huáng [Dapple-gray] same as the term for a dark dapple-gray horse Tú [River] the name of a river in Yizhou; also pronounced like 'zhí' and 'yú' Tú [Catalpa] the name of a tree Chá [Tea] a bitter vegetable; also an herb as large as 'shè' This entry reflects an early historical period where 'tea' was still categorized among medicinal or bitter herbs. Lún [Grass] the name of a grass Tú [Map] a drawing; the dictionary Explanations of Characters notes it relates to planning; the components are difficult to trace, involving 'sun' and 'state'

Yú [I] ... Shū [Field] ... Chú [Toad] ...