suburb; residential area on the outskirt of a city; commuter belt
half-cooked; vague; halfhearted; indecisive
suspension (from work or school)
neurosis; nervous breakdown; mental problem; identity crisis; obsession
methodical; precise; meticulous; wooden post that has been carved to have a rounded corner with grooves running along either side of it
laid-back; carefree; easygoing; thoughtless; happy-go-lucky
patient's chart; clinical records; record (e.g. student, equipment maintenance, etc.)
mention (in a document); record; entry; statement; listing
defenseless; defenceless; unprotected; vulnerable
spine; line of the backbone; seam down the back (of clothing)
to become completely chilled
every evening; night after night
bedside; near one's pillow
to overlook; to command a view of; to look down on; to despise; to look down on
broadcasting; broadcast; program; announcement
sandstorm; noise (video); snow
tangent point; point of contact; contact (electrical, etc.); point of agreement; common ground
impatience; uneasiness; irritation; fretfulness
counterattack; counteroffensive; counterblow
amount necessary to fill a container (e.g. cupful, spoonful, etc.); drink (usu. alcoholic); full; one squid, octopus, crab, etc.; one boat; fully; to capacity
desperation; struggle to the death
to rage; to be fierce; to be excited
difference in grades (e.g. in go, shoji, etc.); difference in level (e.g. road, footpath); ramp; steps
to give oneself to (esp. of a woman to a man); to surrender oneself to
your home; your family; their home; (my) home
long; drawn-out; very long
to regard (as); to recognize (as); to see as; to pay attention to; to watch
retirement age; (arch.) years of service in a military rank before eligibility for promotion
intention; idea; inclination; wish
or something; for instance ... (though there are other suitable options); ... or ...; as soon as; right after; while still
depressed in spirits; dispirited; disheartened; rejection
by the end of this year; before the year comes to a close; during this year
implicitly; indirectly; tacitly; by implication; obscurely
chief (of police); head (of office)
to reheat; to steam over; to bring up again (a problem that has been dealt with); to take up again; to drag up
pressure; stress; pressure (e.g. political); coercion; arm-twisting
before one knows; before one becomes aware of; unnoticed; unawares