also: きこう
noun
Refers to the shell of a tortoise or turtle, or the material made from it. Often used in compounds like 亀甲細工 (tortoiseshell work).
See also: 亀の甲
この櫛は亀甲でできている。
This comb is made of tortoiseshell.
noun
hexagonal pattern; honeycomb pattern
Abbreviation of 亀甲形. Describes a pattern of interlocking hexagons resembling a tortoise shell. Common in traditional Japanese design.
See also: 亀甲形
着物の帯に亀甲の模様が入っている。
The obi has a tortoiseshell pattern.
noun
tortoiseshell bracket
Abbreviation of 亀甲括弧. Refers to the Japanese punctuation marks 〔 and 〕, which resemble a tortoise shell shape. Used in dictionaries and reference works.
See also: 亀甲括弧
辞書では補足説明を亀甲で囲むことがある。
In dictionaries, supplementary explanations are sometimes enclosed in tortoiseshell brackets.
Rarely used kana form; the reading きっこう is strongly preferred.
From 亀 (turtle) + 甲 (shell). The reading きっこう is a sound change from きこう, with gemination of the second syllable.