independence; self-reliance
coworker; co-worker; colleague; associate
close aide (of a powerful person); close associate; entourage; attendant; retainer
steward; butler; court official; deacon (Anglican, Lutheran, etc.)
shape; form; appearance; style; state; situation
order; command; decree; (software) instruction; statement
person who has been through a lot; worldly-wise person; one who has seen it all
to recognize; to recognise; to deem; to judge; to approve; to deem acceptable; to admit
even; if only; if just; as long as; the only thing needed
readiness; (mental) preparedness; resolution; determination; resignation (to one's fate)
ominous; sinister; unlucky; inauspicious
to coo at; to behave like a spoiled child; to snort; to sniff
tolerant; generous; lenient; broad-minded; magnanimous
errand; mission; messenger; bearer; familiar spirit
burst of laughter; roar of laughter; in copious amounts
story; tale; legend; plot; storyline
studying abroad; (temporarily) studying at another school (to learn a specific skill)
to go mad; to lose one's mind; to get out of order; to go amiss; to go wrong (of a plan or expectation, etc.); to fall through
overseas student; exchange student
Japanese and Chinese poetry; poetry; poems
reimportation; reimport; reverse import; (cultural, etc.) reverse import (e.g. California rolls being introduced in Japan)
direct; immediate; personal; firsthand
to suck up; to absorb; to squeeze (money)
to operate (e.g. a machine); to handle; to have a good command of (a language); to play proficiently (of a musical instrument); to work (a puppet); to pull the strings of a puppet
queen; female monarch; queen consort; consort of a king; queen; princess
to attach; to stick together; to place together; to put side by side; to make (someone) get married; to get (someone) hitched
stallion brought close to a mare to test her readiness to mate; stalking horse; spoiler
obstacle; impediment; disability; handicap; steeplechase; obstacle race
point of tangency; point of contact; (electrical) contact; point of contact (between); connection
secret manoeuvres (maneuvers); operating behind the scenes
personal attendant; valet; maid
to raise (esp. overhead); to brandish (e.g. sword); to flourish; to wield (e.g. power, authority); to proclaim one's principles
prohibition; inhibition; ban
to scatter; to sprinkle; to spray; to lavish (money, charm, etc.)
to one's heart's content; as much as one wants; as hard as one can; resolution; decisiveness; determination
clicking one's tongue; tut-tut; smacking one's lips (with relish)
jacket; book jacket; dust cover; CD jacket; record jacket
to throw violently against; to slam against; to strike; to thrust at someone (e.g. a letter)
tsk; tut; shoot; chirp; tweet