to turn someone down (on some pretext) without offending them; to refuse gracefully; to decline politely
the Monkey (ninth sign of the Chinese zodiac); hour of the Monkey (around 4pm, 3-5pm, or 4-6pm); west-southwest; 7th month of the lunar calendar
to give flowers as a gift
frail; having a weak constitution; being in poor health
deliberate hindrance; obstruction
factional dispute; factional strife; rivalry between factions
different suitabilities; being cut out for certain things (and not for others)
birthday party; birthday meet-up
awesome; awe-inspiring; august; discourteous (to a superior); lacking due respect
well-behaved (esp. children and pets); obedient; good
this world; this life; this generation; present day
one more; another; the other; not quite; not very good; lacking
to fall behind; to lag behind; to lose (race, contest)
generally; in the main; (more or less) everything; all parts; ordinary; usual
to put someone to work; to make someone work
to behave well (of a child)
unbearable; intolerable; insufferable
carpenter's square; instigation; suggestion
principal offence; principal offense; principal offender
completely; thoroughly; horribly; without exception; until there's no untouched (undamaged) part
natural; understandable; reasonable; no wonder
to accuse somebody; to charge someone
estrangement; alienation; neglecting to stay in contact
teasing; banter; ribbing; jest; making fun (of); poking fun (at)
mean; malicious; scheming; wicked; black-hearted
to disturb; to upset; to ruffle; to stir up; to mess up
lukewarm; tepid; half-hearted; vague; lenient; mild
study; pursuit of knowledge
freely; at liberty; at will; as one likes
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
human; human-like; as a person
gloomy (e.g. mood); depressing; irritating; troublesome; heavy (weather); cloudy
five; five years of age; eight o'clock (old time system)
to surpass; to outstrip; to excel
to keep a watchful eye on
overprotective; excessive care; overprotection; overprotectiveness
unanticipated; unexpected
memory; ability to remember