Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
advice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
arriving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
attempting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
avoid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
communicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
compromise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
contents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
couched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
daimyo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
danger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
dates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
definitely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
departure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
effect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
fixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
fortunes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
HOME-COMING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
hoped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
Kinsan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
Maido
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
Maido's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
managed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
parent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
ronin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
safely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
seized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
Shibusawa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
StillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
Takara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
terms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
thereafter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
wait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOME-COMING Maido had not long to wait, though the time seemed never to pass.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Still he had always hoped for the best, and when he had definitely made up his mind to return he so managed to forward the letter of advice as to bring it safely to Maido's hand; arriving, as it happened, only a few days after Takara had been seized and carried away by the ronin, and none too early, for Shibusawa himself came soon thereafter.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
wiser
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To avoid possible compromise Shibusawa had couched the letter in such terms that no one but a father could be the wiser for its contents; therefore no dates were fixed, and the anxious daimyo had only to wait, and for hours sat watching the gate in front.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first word received from his son, for Shibusawa knew the danger of even attempting to communicate with either his parent or Kinsan.
wrought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During all these years he knew not what effect his departure had wrought at home, nor of the fortunes of those whom he had left behind.
