Vocabulary

careful reading; reading thoroughly; perusal

ready-made

to state; to express; to say; to tell; to mention

to become spring-like; to show signs of spring

to moisten; to wet

first dream of the New year (believed to foretell one's luck)

bookshelf; bookcase

description; account; delineation; narration

wounded soldier

to burn; to scorch; to singe; to char

raising and lowering

upper end; top; tip; top edge

raising the ridgepole

elegant; refined; polished; stylish; sophisticated

to change (buses, boats, etc.); to transfer (to)

evergreen tree; (an) evergreen

to divide in two; to divide in half

vacuum tube

war of nerves

cannibalism; biting (someone)

large serving; large portion

simple interest

one's last moments; hour of death; death throes; agonies of death

man's weeping (esp. of someone not prone to tears)

fatal

heir

medium build

lunch; midday meal

to challenge to (a fight, game, etc.); to throw down the gauntlet; to contend for

direct talks; direct negotiations; talking to someone in person

low frequency

vulgar; lowbrow; coarse

Ptolemaic theory; geocentric model; geocentrism

moss

retreat; withdrawal; retirement

mushroom

short temper; quick temper; hot temper; impatience; irritability

protein

(informal) discussion; talk; conversation; chat

to drive a bargain; to beat down the price; to haggle