掛かけ詞ことば

noun

pivot word; kakekotoba; pun in poetry

A rhetorical device in classical Japanese poetry (waka) where a word carries two different meanings simultaneously, often creating a pivot between phrases. Not a simple pun; it is a structural technique.

• 古こ今きん和わ歌か集しゅうには掛かけ詞ことばが多おおく使つかわれている。

  Many pivot words are used in the Kokin Wakashū.

• この和わ歌かの「松まつ」は「待まつ」との掛かけ詞ことばになっている。

  In this waka, 'matsu' (pine) is a pivot word with 'matsu' (to wait).