Wu Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Cave (xué) 窕 Kangxi strokes: 11 Page 865, Entry 14 Tang Dynasty Rhymes (Tangyun), Rhyme Collection (Yunhui), and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced tiao (rising tone). Refers to the term yaotiao, also meaning extremely deep and quiet. Book of Odes (Shijing), Zhou South section: The quiet and modest young lady. Commentary: Yaotiao refers to being quiet, modest, and elegant. Literary Expositor (Erya), Explaining Words: Tiao means quiet. Yangzi Dialect (Fangyan): Tiao means beautiful. Broad Rhymes (Guangyun): A kind heart is called yao; a beautiful countenance is called tiao. Additionally, men can also be described as yaotiao. Old Music Bureau (Guyuefu): Describes a young man, a third son, as yaotiao, handsome, and peerless in the world. It can also refer to the deep, secluded nature of mountains and waters. Poetry of Cao Chu: A secluded mountain path, deep and distant. Poetry of Du Fu: Mist rises from the deep, secluded valley. It can also refer to deep, hidden palace chambers. Poetry of Qiao Zhizhi: The deep, hidden chambers of the nine-fold inner quarters. Also means small or slender. Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), Year 21 of Duke Zhao: Small things do not exceed what is minute. Sub-commentary: Tiao means minute or small. Also, per Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun) and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced tiao. Equivalent to tiao (frivolous). Refers to a light, airy, and petty appearance. Zuo Commentary (Zuozhuan), Year 16 of Duke Cheng: The Chu army was frivolous and lacked composure. Also, per Collection of Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Collection (Yunhui), and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced tiao, with the same sound as tiao (to sell grain). Also, per Rhyme Collection (Yunhui): Pronounced tiao (rising tone); per Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced tiao (rising tone), with the same sound as tiao (to gaze into the distance, rising tone). The meaning is the same. Also, per Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced yao, with the same sound as yao (distant). Xunzi, Discussion on Ritual (Lilun): The establishment of ritual decorations should not reach the point of excessive flamboyance. Annotation: Tiao is pronounced the same as yao. Also equivalent to xiao (small bamboo). Xunzi, Discussion on Odes (Fulun): Filling the entire universe without appearing narrow or cramped. Annotation: Tiao is pronounced the same as xiao. Also equivalent to tiao (branch/strip). Huainanzi, Original Way (Yuandao Xun): Refers to a vast and distant wilderness. Annotation: Same meaning as xiaotiao (desolate/lonely).