grim; stern; stark; heartless
to form a group; to form a bunch
main point; gist; essentials; bones (e.g. of an idea); pith
sudden shower; sudden downpour
cross-examination; close questioning; demanding an explanation
questions and answers; dialogue
talented; gifted; prodigious; virtuoso; masterful
nature; disposition; temperament; qualities; attributes; talents
to need; to require; to take; to demand
rational; reasonable; logical
button (clothing); push-button; button
high efficiency; high performance
background knowledge; prerequisite knowledge
reason; principle; general principle (as opposed to individual concrete phenomenon); the underlying principles of the cosmos (in neo-Confucianism)
reason; logic; sense; natural way of things
study; pursuit of knowledge
true feelings; real intention; one's heart; one's right mind; one's senses; one's conscience
to be contrary; to run counter (to); to conflict (with); to disagree (with)
to destroy; to overthrow; to wreck; to ruin
science; learning; scholarship; arts and sciences; academic pursuits
pride of place; most prominent; top-ranking
main object; principal object; true aim
whim; caprice; vagary; eccentricity
party; set; gang; company; person
(large) compilation; culmination (of hard work)
sweet eel sauce (brushed on a sushi topping)
to boil down; to concentrate (soup, milk, stock, etc.); to reach a conclusion; to conclude a discussion
polish; burnishing; improvement; becoming more skilled
wisdom; jnana (higher knowledge)
wisdom; intelligence; sagacity
rough (estimate, summary, etc.); broad; general; careless (e.g. work); sloppy; crude
completely; thoroughly; decisively; unsparingly; beyond recognition; until there's no untouched (undamaged) part
to speak ill of; to disparage
expulsion; ousting; ejection; dismissal; banishment
cool; indifferent; apathetic; cold; cold-hearted; heartless
zeal; enthusiasm; ardor; ardour
interview (e.g. for a job)
guidepost; signpost; guide; manual; tiger beetle (esp. the Japanese tiger beetle, Cicindela japonica)
fort; fortress; stronghold; fortification
to rise (of a building, mountain, etc.); to tower; to soar
to support; to prop; to sustain; to hold at bay; to stem; to check
door; gate; opening; title page