Chapter II · At Home

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

how long something has existed

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

the sport of shooting arrows with a bow

From this reading He had been trained for the old samurai and devoted most of his youthful days to fencing, riding, and archery.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

annoy persistently

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

the hard woody stems of bamboo plants; used in construction and crafts and fishing poles

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

for the reason that

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been trained for the old samurai and devoted most of his youthful days to fencing, riding, and archery.

in addition to; as well as

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

past form of “consist” — originate

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading He had been trained for the old samurai and devoted most of his youthful days to fencing, riding, and archery.

zealous in devotion or affection

From this reading He had been trained for the old samurai and devoted most of his youthful days to fencing, riding, and archery.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

a social unit living together

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

a barrier that serves to enclose an area

From this reading He had been trained for the old samurai and devoted most of his youthful days to fencing, riding, and archery.

of or relating to or characteristic of feudalism

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had been trained for the old samurai and devoted most of his youthful days to fencing, riding, and archery.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

the mother of your father or mother

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He had been trained for the old samurai and devoted most of his youthful days to fencing, riding, and archery.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

the act of beginning something new

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

a string of more than 3,000 islands to the east of Asia extending 1,300 miles between the Sea of Japan and the western Pacific Ocean

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

light in a transparent protective case

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

used to form the superlative

From this reading He had been trained for the old samurai and devoted most of his youthful days to fencing, riding, and archery.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

not any; not one

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

the inner surface of the hand from the wrist to the base of the fingers

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

in a professional manner

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

with speed

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

(of weather) wet by periods of rain

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

To recall to mind.

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading He had been trained for the old samurai and devoted most of his youthful days to fencing, riding, and archery.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

a Japanese warrior who was a member of the feudal military aristocracy

From this reading He had been trained for the old samurai and devoted most of his youthful days to fencing, riding, and archery.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form

From this reading He had been trained for the old samurai and devoted most of his youthful days to fencing, riding, and archery.

activity leading to skilled behavior

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

the act of using

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

an African melon

From this reading Introduction--Dinner--Rice--Turning to Cows--A Bamboo Dragon-fly--A Watermelon Lantern--On a Rainy Evening--The Story of a Badger.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I don’t remember exactly what business my father was in, but my impression is that he had no particular one.

at the time that

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

a late time of life

From this reading Our family consisted of father, mother, grandmother, and two children besides myself, at the time when I was six years old.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But by the time he had come of age, that training was of no use to him professionally, because, as quickly as you can turn the palm of your hand, Japan went through a wonderful change from the old feudal régime to the era of new civilization.

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading He had been trained for the old samurai and devoted most of his youthful days to fencing, riding, and archery.