Vocabulary

water wheel

to accomplish; to achieve; to carry out

voluntary; optional; free; elective

worship; adoration; admiration; cult

young bird; chick; fledgling

head of the family (esp. as recorded in the resident register); head of the household; householder

Stars and Stripes (US flag)

break (in the weather, esp. rain or snow); interval of clear weather

to pile up; to heap up

exact calculation; squaring of accounts; adjustment

concentration; diligence; devotion

blue; azure

blue

piling up; making a heap; laying bricks

to cut off (from); to separate; to detach; to sever; to uncouple

cut off; cut out; ablation; resection; surgical removal

cutting; severance; section; amputation; disconnection

serving customers; looking after visitors; reception

saving water; water conservation; economizing on water

hereditary; congenital

despotism; autocracy

warfare; the maelstrom of war; disorder brought about by war

electric fan

fleet (fishing, naval, etc.); convoy; group of ships

preceding paragraph; first part

shakuhachi; end-blown fippleless bamboo flute

to abate; to weaken; to be emaciated; to be dejected; to be perplexed

mild earthquake

main wings (of an aeroplane, airplane)

warm (treatment, reception, etc.); kind; cordial; hospitable; courteous; respectful

fingers; fingertips

awarding a prize; giving an award

suzerain state

to meet; to assemble; to congregate

heavy; weighty

cram school student; student of a private-tutoring school

aftertaste

going backward; turning back; backtracking; doubling back

political party

merits and demerits; good points and bad points; strengths and weaknesses