part; portion; glimpse; bit
lineage; stock; descent; strain; blood relationship
special grade article; superfine brand
charisma (i.e. attractiveness, charm); charisma (i.e. divinely conferred power or talent); charism; charismatic person; someone famous (usu. for their talent); celebrity
to form a partnership or association; to join together; to grapple with
aiki (principle that allows a conditioned practitioner to negate or redirect an opponent's power)
to reveal one's true intentions; to show one's cards
phantasmagoric; protean; shape-shifting; kaleidoscopic; capable of ever-changing appearance
to excel; to surpass; to exceed; to outweigh; to preponderate
to become weak; to decline; to wear; to abate; to decay; to wither
to bite at; to snap at; to nibble; to get one's teeth into (metaphorically); to get to grips with; to really get into
intention; plan; purpose; belief; assumption; thought
astonishment; amazement; surprise; fright; shock
preconception; preconceived notion; prejudice
to rally; to make a comeback
decider; person who decides; decisive factor; clincher; key
to become blunt; to grow dull; to become less capable; to weaken; to falter
wick; marrow; core; heart; pistil (of a flower); stamen
to begin to catch (attention, etc.); to begin to collect
naturally; not surprisingly; it should be appreciated that; understandably; as a matter of course; as is obvious
(hand-to-hand) fight; grapple; scuffle; struggling (with a problem, task, etc.); grappling; wrestling
harsh (taste, feeling, etc.); acrid; sharp (language, question, etc.); biting; nasty; gross
bitterness; distress; pain; bitterness and astringency
last moment; eleventh hour; platform made of dirt used to perform executions (decapitations) in the Edo period
to become serious; to take something seriously (e.g. a joke, teasing); to become irritated or angry (esp. at something trivial); to get worked up
gourd-shaped war fan; referee's fan; stratagem; tactics
to lose heart; to lose motivation
decisive; resolute; determined; firm
to astonish; to astound; to stupefy; to flabbergast; to strike a person dumb; to dumbfound
to put up (a notice, sign, etc.); to hang out (e.g. a banner); to hold up high; to raise overhead; to tout (a principle, plan, etc.); to herald; to publish
loud shout; excited cheering
sitting on the floor grasping one's knees (as in a gym class)
recommendation; advice; suggestion; encouragement
to close up; to shut up (e.g. behind doors); to cut off (e.g. because a deadline has expired); to close off (e.g. subscription list)
snapping (e.g. book shut); clapping; crackling; pachinko
one's physical safety; personal security
exclusive right; sole right
the other day; some time ago; recently
what little ... one has; tiny amount of; paltry