lower bigrade conjugation
A classical Japanese verb conjugation class where the stem ends in -e or -u depending on the inflectional form. Used in historical grammar study.
Lower bigrade conjugation is a verb conjugation studied in classical grammar.
Upper bigrade conjugation, where the stem vowel alternates between -i and -u, as opposed to -e and -u in lower bigrade.
Quadrigrade conjugation, the most common classical verb class, with four stem vowels (a, i, u, e).
Modern lower monograde conjugation, which evolved from lower bigrade verbs; stem ends only in -e.
From 下 (lower) + 二段 (two-grade) + 活用 (conjugation), referring to the two stem vowels (e and u) that appear in the lower (e-row) position of the kana chart.