ritual stamping in the ring; lineup; appearance together
greeting; a fine thing to say
things like; something like; someone like; such a thing as; (the fact) that; to think that
unnatural; affected; studied; forced
scornful laughter; ridicule; derision; sneer
to receive; to get; to catch (e.g. a ball); to be struck by (wind, waves, sunlight, etc.); to sustain (damage); to incur (a loss); to undergo (e.g. surgery)
to become; to appear like; to have a touch of; to look like
to garnish; to accompany (as a card does a gift); to add to as support; to prop up; to accompany (as an aid, guide, translator, etc.); (arch.) to mimic
subtle; delicate; difficult; complex; doubtful; questionable
silly; foolish; absurd; childish; easy; trifling
to fuss over; to be particular about; to be obsessive about; to be fixated on; to obstruct; to hinder
gesture; movement; action; acting; performance
finally; at last; barely; narrowly; gradually; little by little
to ask a question; to begin to ask a question
full dress; formal dress; uniform
past middle age; nearing old age; near-elderly; age 40
man; male; fellow; guy; male lover; boyfriend
retainer; subject; vassal; servant
lower back; waist; hips; body (of hair, noodle, paper, etc.); resilience; spring
revolution; rotation; turning; turning (an aircraft or ship)
willingness (e.g. to do something); eagerness; motivation; inspiration; determination; high aspirations
perhaps; likely; probably; I dare say
to study (in depth); to learn; to take lessons in
sorrow; grief; anguish; trouble; affliction; anxiety
to cut open; to clear (land); to cut (a path, road, etc.); to carve out (a new career, future, etc.); to open up (a new field)
across; over; beyond; throughout (a period of time); for
no good; not serving its purpose; hopeless; wasted; cannot; must not
there's no (other) way; cannot be helped; unavoidable; it's no use (doing); pointless; hopeless (person)
to accomplish; to finish; to fulfill
(not) at all; (not) in the least; (none) whatsoever
to stagnate; to settle (at the bottom); to deposit; to become sluggish; to become dull; to be delayed
vast; huge; immense; malva nut (Sterculia lychnophora)
to hold in one's arms; to carry in one's arms; to have (problems, debts, etc.); to take on (a responsibility); to employ; to have (on one's staff)
(being in) the red; deficit; red letter; red writing; corrections (by a teacher or proofreader) written in red
concrete; definite; specific; material; substantial
framework (of a building); foundation; mainstay; support; supporter