Definify.com
Definition 2024
海象
海象
Chinese
| ocean; sea | shape; form; appearance; elephant; image under a map (math.)
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|---|---|---|---|
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simp. and trad. (海象) |
海 | 象 | |
Noun
海象
Japanese
Etymology 1
| Kanji in this term | |
|---|---|
| 海 | 象 |
| Grade: 2 | Grade: 4 |
| Irregular | |
From Russian сивуч (sivuč, “Steller sea lion”).[1]
The kanji spelling is from Middle Chinese. See kaizō below.
Noun
海象 (hiragana せいうち, katakana セイウチ, romaji seiuchi)
Usage notes
As with many terms that name organisms, this term is often spelled in katakana in biological contexts, as セイウチ.
Etymology 2
| Kanji in this term | |
|---|---|
| 海 | 象 |
|
かい Grade: 2 |
ぞう Grade: 4 |
| on'yomi | |
/kaizau/ → /kaizɔː/ → /kaizoː/
From Middle Chinese compound 海象 (xojX zjangX, literally “ocean, sea + elephant”). Compare modern Cantonese reading hoi2 zoeng6.
The goon, so likely the initial borrowing.
Pronunciation
Noun
海象 (hiragana かいぞう, romaji kaizō, historical hiragana かいざう)
- (rare) a walrus
Usage notes
This reading is much less common than seiuchi.
Etymology 3
| Kanji in this term | |
|---|---|
| 海 | 象 |
|
かい Grade: 2 |
しょう Grade: 4 |
| on'yomi | |
/kaiɕau/ → /kaiɕɔː/ → /kaiɕoː/
Possibly from Middle Chinese compound 海象 (xojX zjangX, literally “ocean, sea + appearance, image”). Alternatively, may have been coined in Japan as a compound of Middle Chinese-derived roots.
The kan'on, so likely either a later borrowing, or a later innovation in Japan.
Pronunciation
Noun
海象 (hiragana かいしょう, romaji kaishō, historical hiragana かいしやう)