蜻蛉

Noun

 * 1) dragonfly

Etymology 1
→

Shift from earlier tonbō, shortening the final vowel. Now the most common reading of this term.

The kanji are, from.

Noun

 * 1) dragonfly

Derived terms

 * : a bamboo dragonfly/bamboo-copter; a toy.
 * : a yellow darter

Etymology 2
→ →  →

Shift from earlier tōbō. Appears in the of 995.

Noun

 * 1) dragonfly

Etymology 3
→ →

Derivation. Some theories include:


 * Originally a compound of + . However, this combines a native Japanese etymon with a Chinese, and the term appears early in the historical record, when such compounds were not common.
 * Originally a compound of +  + uncertain element . While more likely in terms of historical trends, this leaves the final element unexplained.

This reading appears to have been superseded by tonbō and tonbo.

Noun

 * 1)  dragonfly

Etymology 4
From.

Noun

 * 1) dragonfly

Etymology 5
Attested in the late 18th century.

Noun

 * 1)  dragonfly