Vocabulary

crushing (into pieces); smashing; cracking; breaking up

vain; futile; transient; frivolous

death (of a person)

levying; requisitioning; compulsory enlistment; recruitment; conscription

fruition; fructification; bearing fruit

sweeping with fire; mowing down; strafing

unexpected (joy, success, etc.); unanticipated; beyond what one hoped; beyond one's expectations

thin (paper, cloth, porcelain, etc.); of thin make; light (e.g. coat)

taking a seat

estimation; criticism; comment

head office; main shop

bridge-building; bridge construction

hall; saloon; spacious room; reception room

to hold a thing in one's arms; to carry in one's arms; to embrace (e.g. a baby)

janitor; caretaker; custodian

pushing by hand; hand gilding

rundown

reward; recompense; return

storage room; storeroom; closet

to look sour; to look disgusted; to scowl; to frown

gardener

inner palace (reserved for women); harem; seraglio

bottom of the water; bottom of the sea; river bottom

simple and honest; unsophisticated; simpleminded; naive; unspoiled

rivalry (between two irreconcilable forces); conflict; strife; struggle

tedious; boring; dull; uninteresting; tiresome; monotonous

food distribution (esp. cooked rice)

going around in circles

(railway) siding; service line; service wire

to bend many times; to turn and twist; to zigzag

to be mixed; to be blended with; to associate with; to mingle with; to join

near at hand

round face; moon face

to cut into (a line, conversation, etc.); to force oneself into (e.g. a crowd); to wedge oneself into; to squeeze oneself into; to intrude on; to interrupt

to go under; to pass under; to go through; to pass through

egoism; egotism; selfishness

running about; making every effort (to do); busying oneself (with); being busily engaged (in); good offices; efforts

high tide; high water; full tide

pending; undecided

spectacular move (chess, shogi, etc.); brilliant move