Vocabulary

polishing; polished finish; burnished finish

unsurpassable; peerless; having no equal; outclassing (others)

giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea var. leiophylla); late goldenrod

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; PAH

halter (for restraining a horse, etc.)

resident; indigenous; always existing

always conducting oneself as though one were on a battlefield; being combat ready at all times (of a person)

decoration; ornamental item

having one's good intentions backfire dangerously; causing harm when trying to prevent it; trying to put out a fire while carrying kindling

bicycle custom-fitted with an ornate, box-shaped body; art bike

crepitus; crepitation

palmistry; chiromancy

solar panel

presentation techniques; way of showing something

bicycle custom-fitted with an ornate, box-shaped body; art bike

street basketball

showily decorated truck (e.g. chrome, air-brushed pictures, colored lights); art truck

the four beginnings (in Mencius's belief in humanity's innate goodness); the four sprouts

sorry; beg pardon; much obliged

shame and hatred of evil

mutual financing association

(Buddhist) lecture meeting

meeting (esp. of a mutual financing association)

being called upon to give a Buddhist service (or lecture, etc.) at the Imperial Court; monk called upon to give a Buddhist service (or lecture, etc.) at the Imperial Court

equivalence; equality; being of equal value; having equal worth

the world is at peace; bows in bags and swords in sheaths

wasted money

the week after the following week; two weeks later; two weeks after that

the week after next

Morbakka virulenta (species of box jellyfish)

anaphylactic shock

vicinity; area

menagerie

glossy hair; glossy fur; glossy coat (on an animal)

to profit at someone else's expense; to rob Peter to pay Paul; to take risks with other people's money

new customer

quenelle

party expenses

camel clutch

showy; loud; flashy; gaudy