self-taught method; one's own way; one's own style
first; preliminary; primary (sources, industry, etc.); original; linear (function, equation); first-order
second; secondary; quadratic (function, equation, etc.); second-order
striking with the back of the sword
opportunism; double standards; timeserving; expediency
(one's) life is not in danger; not life-threatening
deeply; keenly; severely; intently; carefully; closely
payment of a sum twice the original; giving back a gift double the value of the one received; repaying twofold; inflicting a revenge twice as hurtful (painful, costly, etc.) as the original misdeed
Old World (i.e. Asia, Africa, Europe)
to take measures; to work out a plan; to lecture; to read aloud; to confer
to clear up; to become cloudless; to be refreshed
no big deal; no match; not worth worrying about
to eat up and spoil (e.g. crops); to eat away; to eat a bit of everything; to encroach upon; to take over
trivial; not amounting to much; not enough to cause a problem; not as much as expected
stars; the stars and planets; celestial bodies
to burn into one's memory; to sear an image
maliciousness; ill will; noxious gas; (arch.) (vengeful) ghost; (arch.) specter
uncleanness; impurity; disgrace; shame; uncleanliness from contact with death, pregnancy, menstruation, etc.
to take all things together; to include everything; to take account of everything
plan to overcome an obstacle or break out of a deadlock; breakthrough solution
(non-documentary) television series; TV drama; teledrama; drama; dramatic incident; spectacle
Gaia (Greek goddess); Gaea
crucial; key; most important; main (point)
to be placed on; to be set on; to be piled on; to appear (in print); to be mentioned; to be recorded
revamping; reshaping; rearranging; reorganizing
childish; child-like; immature; infantile
to complete decisively; to do to completion
change (of personnel); reshuffle (e.g. of a cabinet); shake-up; dismissal (e.g. of a minister); replacement
centripetal force; unifying force; cohesive power
completely relying on others
to fade (of a colour); to grow dull in color (colour); to lose vividness; to lose freshness; to grow stale
hometown; rural township (of China)
to look unconcerned; to assume a composed look
pause; suspension; rest; stoppage
time passes; the days and months go by; the months roll on