regular (periodic) examination
silent (as the grave); deadly silent; deathly quiet
atmosphere; mood; a certain air; presence; (Earth's) atmosphere
seed (e.g. of a plant); pip; material (e.g. for an article); matter (e.g. of a story); ingredient; leaven (bread); cause
vicissitudes; continual change; transmigration; metempsychosis
vivid; bright; brilliant; skillful; skilful; adept
cause; seed; variety; kind; counter for varieties
to move (house); to transfer (department); to change the target of interest or concern; to elapse (passage of time); to be permeated by a colour or scent; to be infected
explosive; sudden and dramatic (of an increase in sales, popularity, etc.); explosive; rapid
force; vigor; influence; authority; impetus; momentum
ivy (esp. Boston ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspidata)
to grow thickly; to be overgrown; to thrive; to grow in abundance
vacantly; blankly; openmouthed; with one's mouth wide-open; with a whack; with a thump
fern (esp. species Gleichenia japonica); fernery
elegance; dandyism; sophistication; affectation; showing off; putting on an air
embarrassing; embarrassed; ashamed; disgraceful; shameful
to comb upwards; to brush up (a loose strand of hair); to turn up a lamp wick
surprise attack; surprise visit; catching a person off guard
scattering; diffusion; spread (e.g. signal across the spectrum)
to tower above the rest; to be by far the best; to be prominent; to be outstanding; to be a cut above
intercept; interception; counter-attack
strength; power; proficiency; ability
insectivorous plants; carnivorous plants
to bite at; to snap at; to nibble; to get one's teeth into (metaphorically); to get to grips with; to really get into
certainly; surely; undoubtedly; just; precisely; exactly
fort; stronghold; fortification
part of the garden close to the house; nearby garden
genuine article; real thing; real deal
to get used to; to grow accustomed to; to become skilled in; to become experienced at; to become tame; to become domesticated
with a friendly grin; smilingly
to look at; to gaze; to stare at
sweet-tasting; sweet; fragrant (smelling); sweet (music); lightly salted; light in salt; naive
tip of nose; before one's eyes; under one's nose; tip (of something)
nape of the neck; back of the neck; scruff of the neck
to tickle; to tickle (one's curiosity, vanity, etc.); to arouse; to make laugh; to amuse
nape (of the neck); nucha
equally; thoroughly; all over; uniformly; without exception; all around
proficient; skillful; enjoying; satisfaction; satiation
contrary to expectations; or so we thought, but ...
sniff; sniff-sniff (esp. an animal); whining; whimpering