月げっ桂けい

noun

bay laurel; sweet bay

Abbreviation of 月桂樹 (げっけいじゅ). Used for the plant Laurus nobilis, often in contexts like cooking or wreaths.

See also: げっけいじゅ

• 月げっ桂けいの葉はを煮に込こみに加くわえると風ふう味みが増ます。

  Adding bay laurel leaves to a stew enhances the flavor.

noun

moon; moonlight

Literary or poetic term for the moon or moonlight. Not used in everyday conversation.

• 月げっ桂けいが庭にわを青あお白じろく照てらしていた。

  The moonlight was shining palely on the garden.

noun

katsura tree on the moon

Original meaning, referring to the legendary katsura tree said to grow on the moon in Chinese folklore. Rare and archaic.

• 中ちゅう国ごくの伝でん説せつでは、月つきには月げっ桂けいと呼よばれる桂かつらの木きが生はえているとされる。

  In Chinese legend, a katsura tree called 月桂 is said to grow on the moon.