underlying cause; indirect cause; remote cause
ingenious; skillful; clever; deft
formal; courteous; ritual; ritualistic
to hunt out; to flush out; to round up; to impress; to recruit
appetizer or snack served with drinks; performance to liven up a bar; conversation to liven up a party
warp; curvature; curve; arch
bow-wow; woof; wah-wah; bawling; clamouring; clamoring
to take a fancy to something; to be moved; to feel inclined to
(in the) presence (of); in front (of); before (someone)
outskirts; environs (of a city); surrounding area; surroundings
growing en masse in one location (of plants); living gregariously (of animals); living in flocks, herds, colonies, etc.; all animate creation
wood; woods; forest; bunch (of something); cluster; line
toxin; poisonous substance
miasma; noxious form of "bad air" formerly believed to cause diseases
paints; painting material
appointing to a responsible post; making much of
to finish up; to complete; to finish off; to get through; to polish off
to say; to speak; to tell; to talk
painter; artist; drawing pictures; doodling; painting
patron (of the arts, an artist, etc.); patroness; sugar daddy; man who provides for a woman (e.g. a geisha); patron; master
to happen to hear; to overhear
past middle age; nearing old age; near-elderly; age 40
atelier; studio; workshop
alone; unaided; away from home
degeneration; decadence; deterioration; laxness; corruption
sale; selling; selling point; gimmick; seller; vendor
to displease; to offend; to hurt (a person's) feelings
real thing; original; actual
arrival; coming (e.g. something awaited); advent
understanding person; supporter
presentation (e.g. of a gift)
after a short while; not long after; soon; before long; shortly thereafter
to pour (sake); to serve; to drink together
ambition; the Buddha's great vow (to save all people)