noun
ripple; small wave
Archaic poetic term for a small ripple or wavelet, often used in classical poetry and literature. Not used in modern everyday speech.
さざれ波が岸に寄せては返す。
The ripples wash up on the shore and recede.
古歌に「さざれ波」と詠まれた情景。
A scene described as 'ripples' in an old poem.
Modern common word for 'ripples' or 'small waves'. さざれ波 is its archaic variant, now mostly poetic.
Derived from classical Japanese; the exact origin is uncertain, but it is related to the modern word さざ波 (ripple).