頡けっ頏こう

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

rising and falling (of a bird)

Rare literary term describing a bird's up-and-down flight. Not used in everyday language.

• 古こ典てんでは、鳥とりが空そらを頡けっ頏こうする様よう子すが描えがかれる。

  In classical literature, birds are depicted rising and falling through the sky.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

rivalry; struggle for supremacy; vying

Rare term for a close contest between evenly matched opponents. Often replaced by 拮抗 (きっこう) in modern usage.

See also: 拮抗

• 両りょう者しゃの実じつ力りょくは頡けっ頏こうしていて、勝しょう敗はいは予よ想そうできない。

  The two are so evenly matched that the outcome is unpredictable.