impatient; tantalized; tantalised; irritated; chagrined; chagrinned
even though things may appear this way
insipid; flat; dull; lifeless; listless
academic study; academic research
to become famous; to gain fame
stoppage; interruption; cessation; suspension
dangerous; critical; grave; uncertain; unreliable; dodgy
to blurt out; to let slip; to say inadvertently; to come out with (e.g. nonsense)
self-analysis; autoanalysis
to be playful; to gambol; to be amused (with something); to flirt with
careful selection; careful screening; hand-picking
taste; liking; preference
(something) one does not really mean; insincere
microminiature; ultraminiature; ultra-small
rough estimate; rough calculation; expectation; anticipation; plan
to jump at the chance; to accept an offer; to show interest in; to accept a proposal
shooting star; falling star; meteor; blaze (wide white stripe down the face of a horse)
research establishment; research institute; laboratory
underling; newbie; small fry; newcomer
refining; refinement; smelting; training
research funds (expenses)
to turn on one's heel; to turn back; to return
alley; alleyway; bare earth (i.e. ground not covered by a roof); open field; teahouse garden; path through a gate (or through a garden, etc.)
to finish reading; to read through
popularization; simplification; explaining in simple language; adaptation of history for popular reading (esp. Chinese); historical novel writing
original (that was parodied or acted as an inspiration for something else, etc.); source
running through (north-south); cutting across; travelling across; cutting vertically; sectioning longitudinally
serious matter; major incident; matter of grave concern; crisis
to be fragrant; to smell (good); to stink; to smell (bad); to glow; to be bright
terminus; terminal; end edge
weeding out; elimination (e.g. of unneeded employees); culling; selection (e.g. natural selection)
to hew; to chop up; to mangle; to mince
constitution (physical); physical make-up; predisposition (to disease); character (of a group, organization, etc.); innate characteristics; make-up
cornerstone; main point; requirement; need; necessary; required
narrow; tight; formal; stiff; constrained; uncomfortable
path; lane; small diameter; small radius