also: ちんば · あしなえ
Refers to a physical condition of limping or being lame. The word is sensitive and can be derogatory; use with care. Often appears in the phrase びっこを引く (to limp).
See also: びっこを引く
mismatched pair
Only when written 跛
Used for a pair of items, especially shoes, that are not a matching set. Restricted to the kanji form 跛.
He has been limping since a childhood injury.
A lame dog was walking with great effort.
The shoes are a mismatched pair, with different colors on the left and right.
A less common reading of the same word, meaning lameness. More literary and dated than びっこ.
A formal or medical term for limping or lameness, without the sensitive connotation of びっこ.
Common kana spelling; usually written in kana.
Kanji form for びっこ; rare and literary. Also read ちんば.
Alternate reading of 跛; less common than びっこ.
Archaic kanji form for あしなえ; not in modern use.
Kanji form for あしなえ; very rare.
Alternate reading; also written 足萎え. Rare and somewhat dated.
The origin is uncertain. びっこ may be derived from mimetic or onomatopoeic roots suggesting an uneven gait. ちんば is a variant reading of the same kanji. あしなえ is a compound of 足 (foot) and 萎え (withering).