Vocabulary

middle act

to strain (e.g. one's nerves); to be on edge; to be tense (of an atmosphere)

taking a straight look at something; looking someone in the eyes

ardour; ardor; passion; fervour; fervor

greeting the New Year (on New Year's Eve); welcoming the New Year

to wish (for); to pray (for); to hope (for)

followers; subordinates; being under someone's command

color scheme; colour scheme

matchmaking; acting as a go-between

motorcycle police

white line

venting one's anger (on someone or something); taking out one's anger on

emission; emanation; radiation; diffusion; dispersion

counteroffensive

proof to the contrary; disproof; counter-evidence; rebuttal; refutation

Chinese restaurant

elegy; funeral song

yes or no answer; agreement or disagreement; consent or refusal

boyfriend

grief; sorrow; anguish; lamentation

coating; covering

powerless; weak; lacking physical strength

trough; gutter; water pipe; flume; chute

light machine gun

to show in; to usher in

powerful medicine; strong poison

fastidiousness; love of cleanliness

blood sugar

tumult; great noise; clatter; hustle and bustle

incarnation (of Buddha or bodhisattva); avatar

to look up at; to raise one's eyes

original judgement; judgment in prior instance

fascination; bewitchment; entrancement; dazzlement

to represent; to signify; to stand for

speech and behaviour (behavior)

used article; worn-out article

firm refusal

five-family unit; five-man group; quintet

to warn against; to caution against

sailor; marine