patting; stroking; caressing
townscape; street (of stores and houses); (look of) stores and houses on street
gun; firearm; small arms (e.g. rifle, pistol, etc)
modernization; modernisation
detective; investigator; sleuth; detective work; secret investigation
mystery novel; detective novel; whodunit
killing and wounding; bloodshed
bullet speed; muzzle velocity
spontaneous discharge; sudden outburst; accidental gun discharge
making use of; application; practical use; operation (esp. of a boat); steering
to pull the trigger; to squeeze the trigger
appeal made directly to a senior official without going through formalities
(large) gun; cannon; artillery; long-ball hitter; home-run hitter
catapult; ballista; mangonel; onager; trebuchet
feces and urine; excreta; human waste
high heels; high-heeled shoes
unsanitary condition; lack of hygienic care; inattention to hygiene; unhygienic conditions
being fully equipped; being fully furnished; complete
remote countryside; boondocks; the sticks; middle of nowhere
inconsiderate; unkind; cruel; thoughtless; unthinking; mindless
impressive; striking; memorable; impactful
engraving a seal; engraved seal; engraving; inscribing; brand (i.e. a mark of disgrace); stamp
equipment used in a ritual; ritual implement
this is not the time (for that); that's out of the question right now
to pray; to say a prayer; to offer up a prayer
monk; member of religious order
disclosure; exposure; revelation
having been told something so often that one is fed up with it
large river; epic (of a novel, drama, etc.); long-form; large-scale
exchange (e.g. cultural); interchange; interaction; alternating current; AC
treaty; pact; convention; agreement
junior high school; middle school; lower secondary school
established theory; accepted opinion; accepted explanation