also: こうたん
noun
corner of the mouth
Refers to the physical corners of the mouth. Often used in descriptive or literary contexts.
See also: 口の端 (くちのは)
彼女は口端を上げて微笑んだ。
She smiled, lifting the corners of her mouth.
noun
Used in expressions like 口端に上る or 口端にのぼる, meaning to become the subject of gossip. This sense is often seen in the phrase 口の端 (くちのは).
See also: 口の端 (くちのは)
彼の行動が口端に上っている。
His behavior is being gossiped about.
More common and explicit form for the 'gossip' sense; 口端 is a shorter variant with the same meaning.
Compound of 口 (mouth) and 端 (edge, end). The 'gossip' sense is an extension from the idea of something being at the edge of one's mouth, i.e., talked about.