土竜

Etymology 1
A surface analysis suggests a derivation from the verb.

However, the modern mogura reading appears to be relatively recent. The older form of this noun was variously ugoromochi, uguromochi, or uguramochi, deriving from now-obsolete verb. This verb itself appears to be a compound deriving from obsolete +, with an underlying idea of “that which digs and brings up the dirt [to form a molehill]”. The verb ugu had a of uguru, attaching only to nouns, suggesting that the original parsing of this might have been “digging bringer”.

The shift in sound from uguru to the variants uguro and ugoro may be a reflection of the morpheme -ro that appears in numerous words indicating a hollow interior. Compare, , , possibly even. The ugoromochi reading appears in the, a pharmacopoeia compiled some time in the years 901–923.

The uguramochi variant was either dialectal, or a later development.

With the beginning of the Edo period and the shift in the political and cultural center to Edo, uguramochi was superseded by the eastern dialectal form muguramochi. The 1603 lists one variant as mugura, indicating that the mochi portion could be dropped. This mugura then became mogura, possibly influenced by the verb.

The kanji are. See also Etymology 8.

Noun

 * 1) a mole

Usage notes

 * Given the irregularity of the kanji reading, the spelling may be more common for this word in general use.

Etymology 2
Likely a shift in pronunciation from earlier eastern dialectal form muguramochi, possibly influenced by the verb.

Noun

 * 1) a mole

Usage notes

 * The reading further above is more common for this word.

Etymology 3
Shortening of earlier eastern dialectal form muguramochi.

Noun

 * 1)  a mole

Usage notes

 * The reading further above is more common for this word.

Etymology 4
Eastern dialectal form of earlier uguramochi reading. Appears in the published in 1603.

Noun

 * 1)  a mole

Etymology 5
Older western Japanese dialectal reading. Also appears with this reading in the published in 1603.

Noun

 * 1)  a mole

Etymology 6
Variant of older western Japanese dialectal reading. Appears with this reading in the 玉葉和歌集 (Gyokuyō Wakashū, “Collection of Jeweled Leaves”) poetry compilation, completed in 1313–1314.

Noun

 * 1)  a mole

Etymology 7
May be the oldest form. Appears with this reading in the, a pharmacopoeia compiled some time in the years 901–923.

Derived as the of verb. See above for further details.

Noun

 * 1)  a mole

Etymology 8
From 🇰🇲. Perhaps used erroneously to refer to moles because they dwell underground just like earthworms. Compare 🇨🇬, 🇨🇬,, , 🇨🇬.

Noun

 * 1)  a mole
 * 2)  an earthworm
 * 3)  an outstanding horse; an excellent horse; a famous horse
 * 1)  an outstanding horse; an excellent horse; a famous horse