also: えのころ · えぬ
noun
Archaic word for a puppy. In modern Japanese, 子犬 (こいぬ) is the standard term. This word may appear in classical literature or historical contexts.
See also: 子犬
古い和歌に「犬子」が詠まれている。
The word 'puppy' (犬子) appears in an old waka poem.
「えのこ」は現代ではほとんど使われない古語だ。
'Enoko' is an archaic word that is hardly used today.
Archaic reading variant for 'puppy', restricted to the kanji 狗.
Archaic variant spelling for 'puppy'.
Archaic reading variant for 'puppy'. No kanji restriction.
The modern standard word for 'puppy'. Use this in everyday speech instead of the archaic 犬子 (えのこ).
The exact derivation is uncertain. The kanji 犬 (dog) and 子 (child) directly convey the meaning 'puppy'. The reading えのこ may be a native Japanese compound, but its historical origin is unclear.