personal feelings; self-interest
contortion; distortion; warp; kink (in one's character); twist
to fall in love at first sight; (arch.) to see for the first time; (arch.) to meet for the first time; (arch.) to have sexual relations for the first time
ordinary; common; commonplace; mediocre; unremarkable; undistinguished
inner palace (reserved for women); harem; seraglio; consort of the emperor
blood relationship; blood relative
to be completely weakened; to be utterly exhausted; to be worn out; to be completely at a loss; to be at one's wits' end; to be greatly annoyed (by)
rule; reign; peaceful times
throne; first place; top spot; championship
to carry up; to bring up; to lift up; to elevate (someone) to a high position; to convince someone to accept a post (esp. through flattery)
puppet; marionette; puppet (person, organization, government, etc.); figurehead; (arch.) prostitute
even if; no matter (what); if; though; although; supposing
outbreak (e.g. of war); outburst; sudden occurrence
(lit.) blood flows; to have the blood of ... running in one's veins (artist, warrior, etc.); to be born with particular skills, characteristics, etc.; to have something "in one's blood"
greedy; avaricious; covetous
deliciously sweet; delectable; sweet dew sent by heaven as a sign of benevolent rule (Chinese legend); sweetened water; sweet sake; amrita; ambrosia of the gods
wound; injury; chip; crack; flaw; defect
what sort of; what kind of; what way
source of worry; source of distress
promotion; encouragement; fostering; unwanted help (usu. unintentionally harmful); unnecessary help; disservice
to check; to hold back; to keep at bay; to stop; to prevent; to stem
assassin; candidate fielded by a political party to oust an incumbent of the same party
to send; to direct; to dispatch (person, car, etc.); to direct (attention); to turn (spotlight, etc. on)
to jump up; to spring up; to jump (market, price, etc.); to rise sharply; to act rashly; to jump the gun
stupid; half-witted; dull-witted; blockhead; idiot; dimwit
expulsion; ousting; ejection; dismissal; banishment
way out; means to escape; escape route
to stop up; to close up; to stand in the way; to obstruct; to occupy; to fill up
lie; falsehood; fiction; fabrication
(wrestling) ring; forum (e.g. for discussion); sandbag; gabion
to push aside; to overcome (e.g. difficulties); to align; to put in order; (arch.) to push open
to create a debt in one's favor (e.g. by doing someone a favor); to create an obligation in one's favor
at the most; at best; to the utmost; as much as possible; as much as one can
secret; private; surreptitious
this and that; one thing or another
doctor chiefly responsible for a patient's care; doctor in charge (of a patient); attending physician; (one's) primary care physician; family doctor; general practitioner
poison; toxicant; harm; evil influence; ill will; spite
to keep a promise; to keep one's word
setback; failure (e.g. plans, business); frustration; discouragement
haggardness; emaciation; wasting away; being tired out; being worn out; exhaustion
to be broken; to break; to break (down); to stop working; to fall through (of a plan, deal, etc.); to collapse
pity; sorrow; pitiable; pitiful; alack; alas
to decide; to determine; to resolve; to break and overflow (e.g. levee); to collapse; to give way