机き下か

noun

respectful term added to addressee's name in letters

A formal, somewhat old-fashioned epistolary expression placed after the addressee's name to show respect, similar to 様 or 御中 but specifically used in written correspondence.

• 手て紙がみの宛あて名なに「田た中なか様さま 机き下か」と書かくことがある。

  In letters, one sometimes writes 'To Mr. Tanaka, 机下' after the name.

noun

under the desk

Literal spatial meaning; less common than the epistolary sense and may be encountered in older texts or formal contexts.

• 書しょ類るいが机き下かに落おちている。

  The documents have fallen under the desk.