noun
entry kanji in a kanji dictionary
Refers to the main kanji heading under which related characters are grouped in a kanji dictionary. Compare 親字.
See also: 親字
漢和辞典では、親文字の下にその漢字を使った熟語が並ぶ。
In a kanji dictionary, compound words using that kanji are listed under the entry kanji.
noun
capital letter; uppercase letter
Used in typography and printing to refer to a large, uppercase letter, often contrasted with 小文字 (lowercase).
See also: 大文字
英文では、文頭の親文字の後に小文字が続く。
In English text, a capital letter at the start of a sentence is followed by lowercase letters.
noun
Historical printing term for a mold or die used to cast type. Rare outside specialized contexts.
活版印刷では、親文字から鋳造された活字が使われた。
In letterpress printing, type cast from a matrix was used.
noun
kanji corresponding to furigana
In ruby-annotated text, the larger kanji that the small kana (furigana) are attached to. Common in educational and publishing contexts.
この教科書では、親文字の上にふりがなが振ってある。
In this textbook, furigana are placed above the kanji.
大文字 is the standard word for 'capital letter', while 親文字 is a technical term used mainly in printing.
小文字 means 'lowercase letter' and is the antonym of 親文字 in sense 2.
Compound of 親 (oya, 'parent; main') and 文字 (moji, 'character; letter'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word likely arose in printing and lexicography to denote a primary or larger character.