stern; grave; austere; strict (e.g. security); severe; firm
irony; sarcasm; unexpected; different from what one expected; (only) surface; something superficial
to the utmost; to the best of one's ability
expression; presentation; representation; notation
to drill; to bore; to hit the mark; to get to the heart of (the matter); (arch.) to put on; (arch.) to wear
hole; opening; pit; hollow; burrow; den; deficit
to (take out and) show; to demonstrate; to point out (finger, clock hand, needle, etc.); to indicate; to show
to polish up; to shine up
smooth (of a surface); glassy; smooth (of an action, proceedings, etc.); fluent (speech); continuously differentiable
nature; natural; spontaneous; naturally; spontaneously
product; produce; result; fruit
plan; project; schedule; scheme; program; programme
planning; devising (a plan); drafting; drawing up
engineering works; civil engineering; public works
huge; vast; enormous; swelling; expansion
human power; human strength; human effort; human agency
behind closed doors; behind-the-scenes; (under the veil of) secrecy
absurd; ridiculous; silly; ludicrous; nonsensical; asinine
scornful laughter; ridicule; derision; sneer
to carry to extremes; to go to the end of something; to investigate thoroughly; to master
great achievement; great feat; great work; great undertaking
to take a veneer off something
reason; reasoning power; (one's) sense
to run along; to run beside; to follow (a policy, plan, etc.); to act in accordance with; to meet (wishes, expectations, etc.); to satisfy
to support; to prop; to sustain; to hold at bay; to stem; to check
five; five years of age; eight o'clock (old time system)
tower; steeple; spire; stupa; pagoda; dagoba
along; parallel to; in accordance with
to mince; to cut fine; to carve; to engrave; to tick away (time); to beat out (e.g. rhythm); to etch (into one's mind)