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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
bear
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From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
called
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From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
charms
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From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
children
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From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
concubine
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From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
concubine's
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From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
custom
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From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
daughter
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From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
dishonor
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From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
Duke
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From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
exception
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From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
fail
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From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
families
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From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
father's
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From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
follow
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From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
ga
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From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
gratified
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From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
greatly
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From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
highest
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From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
honors
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From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
implies
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From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
inferiority
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From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
Japan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
latter
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From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
legitimate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
less
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From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
male
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
O
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From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
offer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
old
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From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
only
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From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
Ono
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From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
province
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
ranks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
recognized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
Sawa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
smitten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
succeeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
Tetsu's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
titles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She ranks next to the first wife; and if the latter fail to bear male children, the concubine’s son succeeds to his father’s titles and honors.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Being already married, he could only offer her the position of first concubine,—which, however, in Japan implies nothing of dishonor and very little even of inferiority.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Among those who were smitten by O Tetsu’s charms was no less a person than the old Duke Ono ga Sawa himself.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position of a first concubine, or second wife, as she is sometimes called (and even that of those who follow her), is a legitimate one, recognized by law and custom.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading With the exception, perhaps, of two or three of the very highest families, there were none in the province but would have been greatly pleased and gratified at such an offer for their daughter.
