Japanese

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Kanji in this term
なた
Hyōgai
まめ
Grade: 3
kun'yomi
Alternative spelling
刀豆
 ナタマメ on Japanese Wikipedia

Etymology

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Literally, blade bean, (なた) (nata, billhook, machete, sabre; a long single edged blade) + (まめ) (mame, bean)

Pronunciation

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Noun

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(なた)(まめ) or 鉈豆(ナタマメ) (natamame

  1. sword bean, Canavalia gladiata
    Synonyms: 刀豆 (tōzu), 帯刀 (tatehaki)
  2. Clipping of 鉈豆煙管 (natamame-giseru, a type of flat pipe).

Usage notes

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As with many terms that name organisms, this term is often spelled in katakana, especially in biological contexts (where katakana is customary).