also: さざ
prefix
Prefix meaning 'small' or 'little', found in a limited set of words. Not freely productive; common examples include さざ波 (ripples) and ささやか (small, modest). The voiced form さざ appears before certain sounds.
See also: さざ波
「さざ波」の「さざ」は「小」の意味を含む接頭辞です。
The さざ in さざ波 is a prefix meaning 'small'.
「ささやか」の「ささ」も同じく「小」を表す接頭辞とされます。
The ささ in ささやか is also considered a prefix meaning 'small'.
Voiced variant used in certain compounds like さざ波.
The prefix ささ/さざ is likely related to the adjective 小さい (ちいさい, small), but the exact derivation is uncertain. The voiced variant さざ is a result of rendaku (sequential voicing) in compounds.