noun
external character; user-defined character; non-JIS character
Computing term for a character not included in a standard character set, especially the JIS set; often created by users or vendors.
このフォントには外字が多数含まれている。
This font contains many external characters.
外字を作成して文書に埋め込む。
Create a user-defined character and embed it in the document.
noun
non-standard kanji; kanji outside the jōyō and jinmeiyō lists
Refers to kanji not included in the official jōyō (common use) or jinmeiyō (name) lists; often used in names or older texts.
彼の名前には外字が使われている。
His name uses a kanji outside the standard lists.
外字は常用漢字表に含まれない。
Non-standard kanji are not included in the jōyō kanji list.
noun
foreign letters; foreign writing
Broadly refers to letters or characters from non-Japanese writing systems, especially Western alphabets.
住所に外字が含まれていると登録できないことがある。
If the address contains foreign letters, registration may not be possible.
外字を日本語の文章中で使う場合は注意が必要だ。
Care is needed when using foreign characters in Japanese text.
Variant forms of kanji; 外字 may include variant forms not in standard sets, but the terms are distinct.
Compound of 外 (outside) and 字 (character), literally 'outside character'. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but the term naturally describes characters outside a given standard set.