かまめ

Old Japanese

Etymology

Listed in references as an ancient form of modern 鴎 (kamome, “seagull”). However, the ultimate derivation is unknown. Possible derivations include:

• From an uncertain onomatopoeic term
• Related to 鴨 (kamo₁, “duck”)
• From some meaning of かま (kama)
• The latter -me element is probably the め (me) that appears as an ancient suffixing element in some bird and fish names, such as 雀 (suzume, “sparrow”), 燕 (tsubame, “swallow”), 鯣 (surume, “cuttlefish”), 鮃 (hirame, “flounder”), 鮫 (same, “shark”)

Noun

かまめ (kamame₂)

1. Uncertain a seagull, gull; a white waterfowl
   • c. 759, Man’yōshū, book 1, poem 2:
     , text here

     ...國原波煙立龍海原波加萬目立多都...

     ...kunipara pa keburi tatitatu unapara pa kamame₂ tatitatu...

     On the plain of land, smoke from the hearths rises, rises. On the plain of waters, gulls rise one after another.

Descendants

• Japanese: 鴎 (kamome), likely