main question; real issue at hand
to try and draw someone out; to fish for information; (for a shrine maiden) to present water to spirits while invoking them; to offer water before a grave
treaty; pact; convention; agreement
on this occasion; now; in these circumstances; with this opportunity
as a matter of fact; really; truly; entirely; completely; wholly
restoration (to original state or location); reconstruction; reversion
item; heading; category; headword (in a dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.); entry
strict; severe; stringent; rigorous; rigid; firm
principle; general rule; as a rule; in principle; in general
to put on airs; to assume importance
to take the middle (between the two); to split the difference
theory; doctrine; opinion; view; rumour; rumor
to be imaginable; to be conceivable
if I'm forced to say something; if anything; if I must say; if I must choose
engineer; technical expert; technician; craftsperson
new rice; first rice crop of the year; novice; beginner; newcomer
may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
the ancients; ancient people
taking no notice of; paying no attention to
as a matter of fact; to tell the truth
beard (esp. on the chin); goatee
amount of information; information content (information theory); Shannon information; surprisal
quality; value; nature; inherent quality; logical quality
direction; district; area; field (e.g. of study); sphere; quarter
lineage; pedigree; family line; birth
to have; to possess; to own; to be endowed with
military force; military strength
incredible; extraordinary; exceptional; phenomenal
lending (money); finance; loan; adaptability; versatility; flexibility
advance (into a new market or stage of progress); launching (a new career or venture); expanding (into a new market); stepping forward; emerging
(preliminary) skirmish; prelude; preliminary encounter; warm-up match (e.g. before a final)
to level (earth); to cut through (a mountain); to split (the opposition); to break (strike)
casual; unconcerned; nonchalant
conversation (just) between you and me; confidential talk
research team; investigative team; survey team; reconnaissance team; investigative commission; fact-finding party
to send out; to forward; to show (a person) out
cutting edge; leading edge; forefront; tip; end