ひげ

Etymology 1
From.

The ge element is likely related to, but further etymology is. Possibilities include:
 * Shift from hohoge ( + ) or from hirege ( + ). Both theories are unlikely unless the term originally referred only to cheek hair.
 * Shift from hirakuke ( + ), lit. 'hair of the opening'. This would include other hair around the mouth, although “opening” being used to mean the mouth is unlikely.
 * Shift from hege ( + ) or herige ( + ), lit. 'edge hair'. Compare being from  +, lit. 'mouth edge'.
 * The hi element being cognate with 🇨🇬.

First attested in the  of 720.

Noun

 * 1)  facial hair on the upper lip region, the chin, and the cheeks
 * 2)  mustache
 * 3)  beard, goatee
 * 4)  sideburns, whiskers
 * 5)  whiskers (of animals)
 * 6)  antennae (of insects)
 * 7)  corn silk
 * 1)  sideburns, whiskers
 * 2)  whiskers (of animals)
 * 3)  antennae (of insects)
 * 4)  corn silk
 * 1)  antennae (of insects)
 * 2)  corn silk
 * 1)  antennae (of insects)
 * 2)  corn silk

Usage notes

 * Different senses are specified by location (e.g. ) or by use of different kanji—the mustache is 髭, the chin hair is 鬚, and the cheek hair is 髯.
 * When written using kana alone, vaguely refers to the mustache, the chin hair, and the cheek hair as a whole without distinguishing.