kana

(redirected from kanas)
Also found in: Encyclopedia.
Related to kanas: Kansas

ka·na

 (kä′nə)
n. pl. kana or ka·nas
1. Japanese syllabic writing. The characters are simplified kanji and are usually used with kanji primarily to write inflections, particles, and function words and to show the pronunciations of some kanji and of all foreign words.
2. Any of the characters used in this system.

[Japanese, from Old Japanese kanna, kana, contraction of karina (literally, provisional letter, as opposed to kanji which were considered to be Chinese characters in their true use) : kari-, provisional, not according to rule + na, name, letter.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

kana

(ˈkɑːnə)
n
(Letters of the Alphabet (Foreign)) the Japanese syllabary, which consists of two written varieties. See hiragana, katakana
[C18: from Japanese, literally: borrowed or provisional letters; compare kanji, which are regarded as real letters]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ka•na

(ˈkɑ nə)

n.
a Japanese syllabic script consisting of 71 symbols and having two written varieties. Compare hiragana, katakana.
[1720–30; < Japanese]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
References in periodicals archive ?
Kanas incurs appreciation with the exclusive launch of the world-famous savor for the first time
Kanas will be retiring from the board of directors for BankUnited, Inc.
Kanas also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of BankUnited until his retirement from those roles on December 31, 2016.
Sheila Gunnell, Paul Kanas, Beverley Kanas and Chris Gunnell.
It is brightly decorated log cabins, and ancient looking felt gers, nestled between towering mountains and the emerald waters of Lake Kanas, all part of the largest nature preserve in China, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Star Maps: History, Artistry, and Cartography Nick Kanas (Springer/Praxis, 2007).
The launch party for the healthcare group's book at the company's headquarters in Ladywood, was hosted by the chairman, Dr Paul Kanas, and guests included the vicepresident Sir David Perris as well as board members and past and present staff.