married couple; husband and wife
Archaic term for a married couple, often used in classical poetry and literature. Not used in modern everyday speech.
They exchange vows as husband and wife.
brother and sister; siblings
Archaic term for a brother and sister pair, especially in classical contexts. The word emphasizes the close bond between siblings.
The close relationship between the brother and sister is depicted.
wagtail (Motacillidae, excluding pipits) · lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus)
Archaic kanji spelling; 妹 (younger sister) and 背 (back/stature, here representing the husband or brother) combine to express a close pair.
Variant archaic spelling using 兄 (elder brother) instead of 背; both forms are rare and found in classical texts.
A compound of ancient いも, “sister, wife, or beloved woman,” and せ, “brother, husband, or beloved man,” denoting a male-and-female pair or a pair of siblings.