expression, noun-modifying (irregular)
hollow-cheeked; gaunt-cheeked
Describes a face with sunken cheeks, often due to thinness, age, or illness. Used prenominally.
He was an old man with hollow cheeks.
His face became gaunt-cheeked due to illness.
Standard kanji spelling; 削げた suggests a sharp, bony appearance.
Variant kanji spelling; 殺げた is less common and may carry a harsher nuance.
Phrase composed of 頬 (cheek) + の (possessive particle) + 削げた (past form of 削げる, 'to be chipped/shaved off', here meaning 'hollowed'). The kanji 削 suggests a sharp, carved-out appearance.