"Kōjien", widely considered the most authoritative Japanese dictionary, lists three definitions for the word (classical Japanese terminal form ): (1) inexpedient or reprehensible towards a god, buddha, noble or the like; (2) awe-inspiring and unmerited/undeserved, used to express thanks; (3) an expression of regret at the full value of something not being put to good use. In contemporary Japanese, is most commonly used to indicate that something is being discarded needlessly, or to express regret at such a fact. , then a professor at Nagano University, noted that the definition (3) in "Kōjien" was the one used most frequently by modern Japanese. The second sense is seen in Japanese newspapers when they refer to members of the imperial family as having been present at such-and-such an event, not necessarily implying wastefulness but rather gratitude or awe. "", another Japanese dictionary, gives a similar ordering of these definitions.