clever; smart; sharp (ear, etc.); sensitive; discerning
to wash; to cleanse; to inquire into; to investigate; to purify (one's heart); to lave (e.g. shore)
remains; dregs; vestiges; remnant; residue
New Year's Eve; December 31
uneventfully; without incident; without a hitch; peacefully
every year; yearly; annually
year; age; years; past one's prime; old age
arrival; coming (e.g. something awaited); advent
bell (often a large hanging bell); chime
to strike (each other); to come to blows; to fight (each other); to speak (to each other)
business; trade; operations; sales
to celebrate; to congratulate; to present (a gift) in celebration; to drink in celebration; to wish for (a happy future, good fortune, etc.); to pray for
cheers; bottoms-up; toast; drink (in celebration or in honor of something); drinking one's glass dry
common people; ordinary people; masses
modest; reserved; quiet; humble
each house; every house; many houses
with difficulty; faltering; tottering; awkward
wealthy; rich; affluent; well-off
party (gathering, celebration, etc.); party (group, political, etc.)
seat; location (of a gathering, etc.); place; position; post
deeply religious; devout; godly; faithful
beginning of the year; the oldest person
attendance; presence; appearance
preparedness; readiness; mental attitude; frame of mind
pastor; minister; clergyman; reverend
to lend an ear; to hearken; to give an ear to; to listen carefully
to torment; to pain; to inflict (physical) pain; to harass; to cause (emotional) pain; to afflict
to pray; to say a prayer; to offer up a prayer