half in doubt; half-convinced; dubious; incredulous
current; urgent; to confront (an issue); to face (up to something); for the meantime; at present
healthy; robust; strong; solid; durable
by myself; in person; by oneself
seeming like an excuse; seeming like a justification; defensive; in an apologetic tone
decoy (for hunting); stool; lure; decoy; stool pigeon
bitter (e.g. criticism); sharp; biting; severe; scathing; harsh
concerning the result (as opposed to the means used to achieve this result or the original goal)
to be oversized (overloud, etc.)
stuttering; stammering; dysphemia
instability; insecurity; crankiness
just like that; quite so; I agree; (lit.) that street
to carry something out of a place; to elevate (someone) to a high position; to convince someone to accept a post (esp. through flattery); to mention something; to broach a topic
succession struggle; succession race
fierce (fight, competition, etc.); severe; hot; hard; bitter; keen
to carry to extremes; to go to the end of something; to investigate thoroughly; to master
biological younger brother
candidate; contender; prospect; candidacy; candidature; nomination
to give one's name; to introduce oneself; to announce one's candidacy
lower grade; low class; junior (officer)
immorality; injustice; adultery; infidelity; (arch.) murdering one's teacher or a government official
crossing swords; competing against; contending with; fighting against
racking one's brains; worrying oneself; being anxious
noted family; noble family; prestigious school, organization, business, etc.
portable shrine (carried in festivals); palanquin; buttocks; lower back
bet; wager; stake; gamble
life; lifetime; career; for life; all one's life; throughout one's life
no matter what it takes; by any means necessary; at all costs; by hook or by crook
to throw out one's chest; to be puffed up with pride
(political) power; authority; influence
(turned out) all right in the end
sweet-smelling; fragrant; aromatic; good (reputation, condition, results, etc.); favorable
since some time ago; for some time; for quite a while
half-hearted reply; vague answer; reluctant answer
outskirts (of a town); run-down district
smirkingly; broadly (grinning)