curious; strange; unusual
papermaking; paper-making; paper making
to leave word; to leave a message
to wring (towel, rag); to squeeze; to squeeze (fruit to extract juice); to press; to rack (one's brains); to strain (one's voice); to extort
unevenness (of colour, paint, etc.); irregularity; unevenness (of quality, results, behaviour, etc.); inconsistency; fickleness; capriciousness
to rise; to swell; to be promoted
to go out of use; to become obsolete; to die out; to go out of fashion
spots; speckles; mottles; speckled; spotted
zero; 0; nought; nothing; zilch
rough sketch; design; cartoon
to paint; to plaster; to lacquer; to varnish; to spread; to smear
seasoning; flavour; condition; state; (state of) health; physical condition
investigation (e.g. into someone's guilt); questioning; pressing; catching up; overtaking
to melt; to thaw; to fuse; to dissolve
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
to become animated; to liven up; to become active
small number; few; minority
research funds (expenses)
person in the same line of business; people in the same trade; the trade; the profession
antipathy; antagonism; animosity; revulsion; ill feeling
point of a spear; spearhead; focus (of one's attack, criticism, etc.); aim; force (of an argument); edge
to accept (a thing) with thanks
to gain fame; to make one's name
to establish a lead; to distinguish (between); to ascertain or tell the difference (between); to discriminate
junior high school; middle school; lower secondary school
rubber band; elastic band
your house; your home; your husband; your organization; you
in good health; healthy; skilled; proficient; master; expert
(fictional) character; character; personality; persona
being very active; being very useful; playing a very active part; making a spectacular showing; great efforts; splendid work
to make even; to make smooth; to make level; to average