秋しゅう霜そう

noun

autumn frost; fall frost

Literal meaning: frost in autumn. The reading あきしも is rare; しゅうそう is the usual reading even for this sense.

• 秋しゅう霜そうが降おりると、畑はたけの作さく物もつが傷いたむ。

  When autumn frost falls, the crops in the field are damaged.

noun

harshness; strictness; rigour

Only with reading しゅうそう

Figurative use, often in literary or formal contexts. Compares severity to the sharpness of autumn frost. Reading restricted to しゅうそう.

See also: 秋霜烈日

• 彼かれの指し導どうには秋しゅう霜そうの厳きびしさがある。

  His guidance has the strictness of autumn frost.

noun

white hair; grey hair

Only with reading しゅうそう

Metaphorical use: hair white like autumn frost. Rare and literary. Reading restricted to しゅうそう.

• 老おいて秋しゅう霜そうの髪かみとなった。

  Growing old, his hair turned white like autumn frost.

noun

sharp sword

Only with reading しゅうそう

Metaphorical use: a sword as sharp and cold as autumn frost. Very rare and literary. Reading restricted to しゅうそう.

• 秋しゅう霜そうの剣けんが敵てきを貫つらぬいた。

  The sword, sharp as autumn frost, pierced the enemy.