hypothesis; supposition; assumption; tentative theory
otherwise; or else; if not
one's favourite party trick (favorite); one's specialty; No. 18; eighteenth; repertoire of 18 kabuki plays
number of characters; number of letters; word count
one breath; time of one breath; pause; break; (doing in) one go; doing without stopping
to cross one's mind; to occur to one; to flash into one's head
superiority; superior power; predominance; preponderance
to put one's life on the line
cotton plant (Gossypium spp.); batting; wadding; padding
tip of nose; before one's eyes; under one's nose; tip (of something)
groan; moan; roar; howl; hum (e.g. motor); buzz (e.g. bee, wire in wind)
golden; gold-colored; gold-coloured; honey-colour
hard to understand; incomprehensible; unintelligible
gold letters; letters written in gold paint
to remain; to abide; to stay (in the one place); to be limited to; to be confined to; to only account for
to cause trouble (for someone); to annoy; to bother; to inconvenience
and then; in addition to that; also; even so
rustling; flapping; unkempt (hair, etc.); loose; dry; decisively
to differ; to vary; to disagree
the whole world; throughout heaven and earth
self-conceit; self-centeredness; vainglory
(in) the shape of the character hachi (eight)
certified (as genuine, valuable, etc.); guaranteed (article); of established reputation; acknowledged; pièce de résistance
facing; opposite; across the street; other side
to be scrupulous; to be attentive; to be prudent; to be complete; to be thorough
moribund state; near-death; barely alive condition
emergency measure; emergency procedures; first-aid treatment; stop-gap treatment; temporary repairs
middle; midway; middle position; moderate position; interim; intermediary
to rise to the surface; to come to the front; to emerge (e.g. from obscurity); to stand out (e.g. against a dark background)
thunderous roar; roaring sound
Gautama Buddha; Shakyamuni; the historical Buddha
metallic taste; taste of iron
firmly; absolutely; flatly; by far; far and away; by a long shot
waterfall; (arch.) rapids
to stimulate; to stir up; to arouse
just one person; only one
personality; character; individuality; personhood