nobles; feudal lords
Historical term referring to high-ranking nobles and feudal lords, especially in pre-modern East Asian contexts. Not used in modern everyday speech.
侯伯たちが集まって国政を議論した。
The feudal lords gathered to discuss state affairs.
Compound of 侯 (marquis) and 伯 (count), two ranks in the traditional East Asian peerage system. The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term is now archaic.