pretext for not revealing something (e.g. actual reason for one's failure, vested interest, etc.)
book; volume; this; present; main; head
to read a large number (of); to read widely; to read everything that one can lay one's hands on (usu. of specific type, genre)
to be completely absorbed in; to fall for (something)
else; in addition; on top of that; furthermore; further; besides
course correction; trajectory change; orbital adjustment
classic (work, esp. book); the classics
to badger; to pester; to beg
small amount; jot; nothing much; (to a) slight degree; wee bit
individuality; personality; quirk; idiosyncrasy; character; individual characteristic
to be rearranged or transposed
to desperately cover up; to hide at all costs
the same as something was reputed to be
-ing and -ing (e.g. "coming and going"); doing such things as...; expresses a command; (arch.) to be; (arch.) indicates completion or continuation of an action
incompetent; no-talent; worthless person; dimwit; incompetence
mirror; looking-glass; barrel head; page added at the beginning of a document mentioning its purpose, date, author, etc.; mirror-shaped mochi
pilloried criminal exposed to public view; public scorn or humiliation; person shamed in front of others
to stop crying; to cry oneself out
to cuddle; to comfort; to rock; to soothe; to dandle; to humor
barrette; hair clip; hair slide; hair band
an infinite variety of; multifarious; being extremely varied and wide-ranging
safe (e.g. choice); secure; innocuous; acceptable; passable; satisfactory
taste (in fashion, music, etc.); sense (e.g. of humour); flair
harsh (criticism, treatment, etc.); severe; hard; strict
life-size; life-sized; true-to-life; faithful (depiction); realistic
highly priced; expensive; valuable; costly
sincerity; true heart; devotion
calculation; self-interest; selfishness
food; provisions; nourishment (mental, spiritual, etc.); sustenance (e.g. of one's life); source of encouragement
source of worry; source of distress
swiftly; rapidly; suddenly; abruptly; sharply (of a slope, bend, etc.); steeply
representative; exemplary; model
various opinions; various theories; various rumors (rumours)
to surprise; to frighten; to create a stir
to drive away; to clear; to scatter; to disperse
to outwit; to outmanoeuvre; to steal a march on; to get the jump on; to anticipate; to forestall