to be the first to speak; to break the silence; to open something for the first time; to broach (e.g. a cask); to break a seal
sunlight; rays of the Sun
reflection; reverberation; reflex; reflexes
glittering; sparkling; glistening; twinkling
scene; view; prospect; outlook
direction; orientation; bearing; course (e.g. of action)
to strain one's eyes; to stare
it does not mean that ...; I don't mean that ...; it is not the case that ...
curiously enough; oddly enough; to the point of being mysterious; to the extent of being strange
marriage partner; spouse; wife-to-be; husband-to-be; future spouse
of all (things, people, places, days, etc.)
to be sacrificed; to become a victim (of); to fall victim (to); to lose one's life
severe; harsh; hard; cruel; rigorous
staringly; fixedly; unblinkingly
the pace of change makes ten years back seem like ancient history
prescription; statute of limitations; lapsing with time (e.g. of an obligation); no longer standing (e.g. of a promise); ageing; aging
spring (device); spring (in one's legs); bounce; springboard; impetus
to polish; to shine; to burnish; to refine (a skill, etc.); to improve; to hone
funeral; burial; condolence
to become tense; to be tightened; to become firm (e.g. body)
companion; partner; spouse
formal; stiff; strict; ceremonious
elementary school student; primary school student; grade school student
sketching; drawing from nature; portrayal; description
mass meeting; convention; tournament; competition; grand event
composition (of painting); structural outline; compositional arrangement
plague bacillus (Yersinia pestis)
textbook; coursebook; schoolbook
to set aside; to keep in reserve; to hold on to
as one would expect from ...; given that ... (naturally ...); because ...; for good reason; there is a (good) reason that ...
worry; care; concern; ennui; boredom
elegant; refined; polished; high-quality goods; first-class article
(sense of) cleanliness; (sense of) freshness; clean impression
to be fascinated (by); to be captivated by; to be enchanted by; to gaze admiringly at; to watch in fascination
to be visible; to be clear; to be evident; to be certain
to search for; to seek for; to look for
naked eye; the physical eye
to brave; to risk; to harm; to afflict; to desecrate; to profane
to challenge (esp. in a lawsuit); to take on an opponent (in negotiations, contest, etc.)