wearisome; insipid; dull; irksome; wretched; vain
haughty; arrogant; insolent; presumptuous
to be reflected; to harmonize with (harmonise); to come out (photo); to be projected; to be displayed (on a screen)
care; attentiveness; attention; consideration (for others); solicitude
not only that, but also; besides that; in addition to that; on top of that; furthermore
good-for-nothing; scapegrace; nuisance; trouble
that is to say; so that means
mostly; ordinarily; probably; most; almost all; ordinary
learning good manners through apprenticeship (to an upper-class family)
candidate; contender; prospect; candidacy; candidature; nomination
extra; more; unnecessary; needless; all the more; even more
to sow seeds; to sow the seeds of ... (e.g. conflict)
(one's) identity; background; upbringing; (one's) character
superior (in rank); top; higher order (e.g. byte); host computer (of connected device)
to serve as; to act as; to fill (the position of); to play the role of; to be in charge of; to hold (a position)
market price; speculation (e.g. on stocks); reputation (according to conventional wisdom); estimation
business; things to do; engagement; errand; affairs
to manage (all by oneself); to control; to run; to take charge of
(private) secretary; treasured book; secret book
mediator; peacemaker; troubleshooter; manager
post; official position; managerial position; executive position
lady attendant; female servant; lady's maid; waiting maid
clothing; costume; outfit; garment; dress
magic; sorcery; witchcraft; magic tricks (with large-scale props)
to listen repeatedly; to listen again; to ask a question in return; to ask again; to ask for a repeated explanation
tailoring; sewing; (special) preparation; teaching; training
grant; allowance; endowment; bestowal; assignment; conferment
to wear (a sword, decoration, etc.); to carry; to be entrusted with (a mission); to be charged with; to have (a quality, property, etc.); to have a trace of
devoting oneself to; concentrating on; being an ardent admirer of; (arch.) tipping over and collapsing
grant; bestowal; giving something to someone of low social standing (by a person of very high social standing)
to put (into); to put away (in); to include (in an anthology, catalogue, etc.); to contain; to achieve (results, success, etc.); to obtain; to accept (a gift or money)
elite; best; pick; cream of the crop
supply; provision; raising; procurement
generous; magnanimous; open-handed; liberal
understanding; comprehension; appreciation; sympathy
to catch up (with); to draw level; to pull even; to be compensated; to make up for one's losses
to be confused; to be bewildered; to be taken aback
taking a story with a grain of salt; discounting half the story
remarkable ability; mastery; brilliant technique; go-getter; resourceful person; wizard
whole nation; whole land; whole country
to be among the top five; to be one of the five best
to shake one's head (in disagreement); to disagree; to refuse; to say no; to turn down (a request)
fate; destiny (esp. as a mysterious force that binds two people together); relationship (e.g. between two people); bond; family ties; affinity; opportunity
account of a dream; fantastic story; wild tale; empty dream
serious look (on one's face); straight face
swindler; fraudster; trickster; con man