also: かむさび · かんさび
noun
divine dignity; godlike aura; behaving like a god
Archaic noun describing the quality of being godlike or possessing a divine, awe-inspiring presence. Related to the verb 神さびる (to become divine or venerable). Rare in modern Japanese outside classical or poetic contexts.
See also: 神さびる
古い神社には神さびが感じられる。
One can feel a divine dignity at old shrines.
その老木は神さびを帯びていた。
The old tree had a godlike aura.
Verb form meaning 'to become godlike or venerable'; 神さび is the noun form derived from it.
Derived from the verb 神さびる (to become divine or venerable), which itself comes from 神 (kami, god) + さぶ (archaic verb suffix meaning 'to behave like' or 'to become'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the form is clearly related to classical Japanese expressions of divinity.