unexpectedly; unusually; considering all that
preface; introduction; preamble
to criticize harshly; to blame; to accuse; to urge; to press
tacit; unspoken; implicit
rank; ranking order; hierarchy
king; queen; monarch; the Crown (as a focus of authority in the UK, etc.); the throne
custom; practice; convention; precedent
(relative) merits; superiority or inferiority; quality
to fall behind; to drop out; to drop; to fall; to spill
to come unstuck from; to peel off; to come off
(dead) body; corpse; carcass; remains
free; unrestricted; (with) complete mastery; completely in control
setting (someone) to work; employment; using; causative
hair; fur; wool; down; plumage
biggest; greatest; largest; maximum
stain; blot; flaw; disgrace
to be placed on; to be set on; to be piled on; to appear (in print); to be mentioned; to be recorded
mess; sorry state; -ways; -wards; in the act of ...; just as one is ...
decline; downturn; drop; (mental) depression; low spirits
comfort; consolation; diversion
to speak words (of); to speak (to); to say (something); to say some (kind, comforting, etc.) words
made of cotton; cotton goods
make; manufacture; -made; made of ...; made in ...
article; item; quality; flirtatiousness; coquetry
mass; quality and quantity
ill will; malice; evil intent
to encourage; to cheer on; to cheer (someone) up; to raise (one's voice)
putting on a brave face; put-on cheeriness; pretending one is fine; show of courage; bravado; Dutch courage
time of departure; (on the) point of departure; just as one is leaving
ball; sphere; bead (of sweat, dew, etc.); drop; ball (in sports); pitch (e.g. in baseball); pile (of noodles, etc.)
very; very much; greatly; considerably; highly; exceedingly
duty; function; office; mission; task; role
security police; special police; special; TV special; 78-rpm record; standard play (VHS recording speed); SP
light (of movements); nimble; light-hearted; cheerful; taking a turn for the better (of an illness); receding of symptoms
surroundings; environs; circumference