Refers to the slender, creeping or climbing stem of plants like morning glories, cucumbers, or ivy. Often used in gardening and botanical contexts.
The morning glory vine has started to grow.
temple arm; earpiece (of glasses)
Specifically the part of a pair of glasses that extends from the frame over the ear. Common in everyday conversation about eyewear.
The temple arm of my glasses got bent.
connections; contacts; influence
Metaphorical extension from the vine meaning: refers to personal connections or a network of influence, often in business or social contexts. Can imply a useful contact or a financial backer.
I wind the vine around the support.
このつるは耳に当たる部分が柔らかい。
The part of this earpiece that touches the ear is soft.
He has connections in the political world.
Connections are what count when finding a good job.
connections; contacts; pull
zebra sole
vine-like; climbing; creeping
Scilla scilloides; squill
Malabar spinach; Indian spinach
Kana spelling is the usual written form.
Kanji spelling; usually written in kana.
The origin is uncertain, but the word likely developed from the image of a slender, flexible thing that extends or connects. The glasses sense comes from the resemblance to a vine, and the connections sense is a metaphorical extension.