VOCABULARY: Thai Forces Move on Protesters as Tension Grows

After reading an article in The New York Times, I made up my mind to highlight the interesting words I came across, which added value to my vocabulary:

The article is: Thai Forces Move on Protesters as Tension Grows

VOCABULARY:

• Strained smile => A strained smile is the one in which you clearly demonstrate you are deliberate effort rather than natural impulse, artificial or forced; a strained voice indicates ("sorriso forçado")
• Slingshot => A forked stick, to which an elastic strap (or a pair of elastic bands connected by a small sling) is fastened to the two prongs, typically used for shooting small stones ("estilingue")
• Nil => A synonym for zero, especially as a score in certain games ("zero")
• To be on life support => Maintenance of the vital functions of a critically ill person, or someone undergoing a surgery, by utilizing feeding tubes, heart/lung bypass, dialysis, defibrillation, among others ("viver com a ajuda de aparelhos")
• Razor wire => A metal wire or ribbon with sharp edges or studded with small sharp blades, used as a barrier ("arame farpado")
• Noose / The noose => Noose is the object used to hang people or animals, such as in execution penalties where people are hung, undergoing in the noose ("Corda da forca / a forca em si"). The expression the noose can be also used to describe a difficult situation regarded as a restraint or bond.

Ending with a note about the text, it is a petty to see the factual turmoil in Thailand. People are dying and insecurity is all around. Despite that, one slight good point, maybe not conducted the best way, which is the citizens' reaction to unapproved government actions, as well as in France. The nation is not passive and subjected to anything posed to them, unlike Brazil, where the vast majority is passive. In other countries, nations react at all costs.

Regards!