unevenness (of colour, paint, etc.); irregularity; unevenness (of quality, results, behaviour, etc.); inconsistency; fickleness; capriciousness
to rise; to swell; to intensify; to increase; to grow stronger; to get higher
to go out of use; to become obsolete; to die out; to decline (e.g. of morals); to be lost; to go into decline (of a town, business, etc.)
highest (e.g. floor); top; best; finest; supreme
spots; speckles; mottles; speckled; spotted
these days; nowadays; recently; lately
zero; 0; nought; nothing; zilch
rough sketch; design; cartoon
to paint; to spread; to plaster; to apply (cream, lotion); to smear; to lacquer
seasoning; flavour; condition; state; (state of) health; physical condition
investigation (e.g. into someone's guilt); questioning; pressing; catching up; overtaking
to melt; to liquefy; to dissolve (in a liquid); to be soluble (in); to be used up (of money or time); to be wasted
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
to become animated; to liven up; to become active
small number; few; minority
research funds; research expenses
person in the same line of business; people in the same trade; the trade; the profession
antipathy; antagonism; animosity; revulsion; ill feeling
point of a spear; spearhead; focus (of one's attack, criticism, etc.); aim; force (of an argument); edge
to accept (something) with thanks
to gain fame; to make one's name
to establish a lead; to distinguish (between); to ascertain or tell the difference (between); to discriminate
junior high school; middle school; lower secondary school
rubber band; elastic band
your house; your home; your husband; your organization; you
in good health; healthy; skilled; proficient; master; expert
(fictional) character; character; personality; persona
being very active; being very useful; playing a very active part; making a spectacular showing; great efforts; splendid work
to write in more information; to add (a paragraph, more lines, etc.); to tack on
to make even; to make smooth; to make level; to average
line-spacing in text; (fig.) between the lines
underhanded; unfair; makeshift; stopgap