dispersal; breaking up; running away; fleeing
clapper; noisemaker; bird rattle; naruko; wooden clapper (held in both hands and shaken)
sparse; thin; scattered; straggling; sporadic
two by two; by twos; as a couple; in pairs
such; like that; in that way
to bow one's head; to hang one's head; to droop (e.g. ears of grain)
though; even if; whether ... or ...
delineation; demarcation; drawing a line (e.g. between what's acceptable and unacceptable); (measuring) ruler
kind; tender-hearted; compassionate
reform; reformation; reorganization
many-sided; multifarious; versatility
field; sphere; realm; division; branch
security; guarantee; collateral; guarantee (e.g. of safety)
to discuss; to talk together
common knowledge; well-known fact
loitering on the way; wayside grass
to set out; to set sail; to embark on (a new venture); to set out (to achieve something); to begin to ride; to lean forward
careful; scrupulous; thorough; conscientious; elaborate; deliberate
bullying; teasing; chivying
least; lowest; worst; awful; horrible; at the very least
eating together; dining together; having a meal together
withering; shrivelling; shrinking; contraction; atrophy
mild; calm; gentle; quiet; congenial; amicable
entrance (on the stage); appearance (in a book, film, etc.); appearance (on the scene); arrival (on the market); emergence
old friend; old acquaintance
wet nurse; nursing mother
to lull (a child) to sleep; to put to sleep
erratic; offbeat; wild; unconventional; extraordinary; weird
extensive knowledge; erudition; learned; erudite; well-informed
to go against; to act contrary to; to run counter to; to deviate from
trusting too much; overestimating ability
good story; heartwarming story; good prospect (e.g. marriage, business)
puppet; marionette; puppet (person, organization, government, etc.); figurehead; (arch.) prostitute
popular name; common name; given name
evasion; excuse; subterfuge; runaround
marriage of convenience; marriage for political reasons
security for a loan; collateral
enthusiast; fan; lover; devotee; aficionado
to make sacrifices for; to pay dearly for
(growing) quickly (esp. children, plants); (developing) quickly; fast; rapidly