also: あきしも
autumn frost; fall frost
Literal meaning: frost in autumn. The reading あきしも is rare; しゅうそう is the usual reading even for this sense.
When autumn frost falls, the crops in the field are damaged.
Only with reading しゅうそう
Figurative use, often in literary or formal contexts. Compares severity to the sharpness of autumn frost. Reading restricted to しゅうそう.
See also: 秋霜烈日
Only with reading しゅうそう
Metaphorical use: hair white like autumn frost. Rare and literary. Reading restricted to しゅうそう.
Only with reading しゅうそう
Metaphorical use: a sword as sharp and cold as autumn frost. Very rare and literary. Reading restricted to しゅうそう.
The sword, sharp as autumn frost, pierced the enemy.
His guidance has the strictness of autumn frost.
Growing old, his hair turned white like autumn frost.
harshness; severity; strictness
Standard kanji form for the reading しゅうそう. Used for all senses except the literal 'autumn frost' when read あきしも.
Rare reading for the literal 'autumn frost' sense. The reading しゅうそう is far more common.
Compound of 秋 (autumn) and 霜 (frost). The figurative meanings derive from the sharp, cold, and white qualities of autumn frost.