tearjerker; sob story; maudlin tale
buyer; purchaser; method of buying
anything and everything; from top to toe; from A to Z
(place of) refuge; escape; exit; way out; shelter; hiding place
to break up and start anew; to break out of one's shell; to make a fresh start; to go outside oneself
ecdysis; shedding (of skin); sloughing; freeing oneself; breaking with (convention, etc.)
everything; for (to) everything; (in) anything
vague; faint; dim; indistinct; hazy; blurry
with a snap; (break) cleanly; (rejecting) sternly; flatly; smartly; (dressing up) well
reliable; trustworthy; hopeful; promising
to knead; to mix with fingers; to quibble; to argue for argument's sake
to rub on; to rub against; to lay the blame on; to strike (a match)
growth; breeding; growing up (in, as); upbringing
mark; sign; (arch.) plain wood showing the seating order of officials at court; (arch.) nameplate
to be hesitant; to feel timid
to reflect on (oneself, past conduct, etc.); to contemplate; to examine; to think over; to introspect
robust; brawny; muscular; strong; sturdy
not only ... but (also); as well as ...
approximately; about; only; nothing but; just (finished, etc.)
overflowing; effusive; exuberant; bountiful
to change into; to convert to; to transform; to be reduced; to influence; to improve (someone)
advance guard; vanguard; avant-garde (e.g. music)
twosome; duo; pair (of criminals)
concentrated fire; intense criticism
yacht (esp. a sailing boat with one mast); sailing boat; sailboat
to peel off and fall; to flake away
soul; spirit; divine spirit
scribbling; scrawl; hasty writing
creak; squeak; creaking sound
rivalry (between two equally strong sides); struggle for supremacy; competing (with); vying (with); contending (with); being an equal match (for)
undisputed; entirely; perfect
to be seized with fear; to be intimidated; to lose one's nerve; to be frightened; to get cold feet; to chicken out
to blame; to reproach; to question (a suspect); to challenge; to aggravate (an injury); to be aggravated
Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)
north wind; northerly wind