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I am wondering what the reading and meaning of 公け is in the following sentence:
彼女のことが公けになることを好まず、ひそかに離縁しようと決心した。

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2 Answers

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It is pronounced おおやけ (although I've never seen it with け as okurigana -- usually just 公). It means "publicly/openly", similar to 公的　【こうてき】.

That sentence would translate as　"Not wanting it to be made publicly known to everyone, He/I decided to break up with her in private."

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up vote 4 down vote

The reading is おおやけ. The meaning is 'public'. In this context, the person does not want (the existence of) her / girlfriend to become public.

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