to break into fragments; to go to pieces
after an interval of ... years; for the first time in ... years
old body; aged person; elderly person
to shake; to swing; to sway; to shock
songbird; bird with a beautiful song
roost; nest; pad; crib; one's home
to jump up; to start up; to leap to one's feet; to fly away; to take off
flapping sound (of wings); fluttering; hum (of insects); whizz (of a flying arrow); whoosh
pale; pallid; bluish-white
half-moon; half a month; semicircle
moonrise; rise of the Moon
hem; (trouser) cuff; bottom part; bottom edge; foot (of a mountain); tips (of hair)
to get up (e.g. from bed); to make one's way in the world; to achieve in life
condition; state; health; state (of health); way; manner
far away; distant place; long ago; far back; by far
cannot help (doing, etc.); cannot resist; must not ...; should not ...; must ...; have to ...
impertinent; saucy; cheeky; impudent; audacious; cocky
magical powers; supernatural powers; spell; charm
to succeed in doing; to manage to do; to finish doing
yes; sure; gotcha; sycophantically; servilely; fawningly
as always; as ever; though it's always the case
exactly right!; indeed; damn straight
to put on airs; to assume importance
weird; ominous; eerie; uncanny; ghastly
declaration; proclamation; announcement
to project; to show; to portray; to depict; to describe
to undertake; to take on (task); to assure; to guarantee; to vouch (for)
bet; wager; stake; gamble
at this stage; at this point; now (contrasting with the past)
to get hold of; to take possession of; to seize
to plan; to form a plan; to scheme; to envision; to intend to do
key; lock; key (to a problem); clue
(a) step; one step; level; stage; small degree; small amount
to precede; to forestall; to anticipate
exclamation of surprised disappointment, disgust, or worry (yuck, ick, ack, eeew, crap!, blech, gross)