The
Kangxi Dictionary was the standard
Chinese dictionary during the 18th and 19th centuries. The
Kangxi Emperor of the Manchu
Qing Dynasty ordered its compilation in 1710. The creator innovated greatly by reusing and confirming the new
Zihui system of 214 radicals, since then known as
214 Kangxi radicals, and was eventually published in 1716. The dictionary is named after the Emperor's
era name.