projecting part; promontory; jutting out
Only when written 出鼻 · Only with reading でばな
Geographical term for a part of a headland or cape that sticks out. Restricted to the kanji 出鼻 and reading でばな.
A lighthouse stands on the projecting part of the cape.
moment of departure; just as one is leaving
Refers to the exact time when someone is about to leave or go out. Often used in phrases like 出鼻をくじかれる (to be thwarted at the very start).
It started raining just as I was about to leave.
Figurative use for the very beginning of an action or event. Often overlaps with sense 2, but can be used more abstractly.
The plan stumbled from the very outset.
Standard kanji spelling for the reading でばな. Used for both the geographical sense and the figurative 'outset' sense.
Alternate kanji spelling, also read でばな. Can be used for the 'outset' sense, but 出鼻 is more common.
Search-only form; not a standard spelling.
Search-only form; not a standard spelling.
The “outset” or “moment of departure” sense is also written 出端, from 出る and 端 “edge; beginning.” The spelling 出鼻 additionally expresses a projecting part likened to a nose.