to distinguish oneself; to stand out
to tighten; to stiffen; to brace; to strain
merit system (as opposed to seniority); meritocracy; ability-ism
legal wife of an emperor or king; first wife; queen consort; empress
plural; multiple; plural (number)
handicraft; work; construction; maneuvering; manoeuvring
wedding; bridal procession; marriage into a family
opposition; rebellion; rebounding; recoiling; rally (e.g. in stock prices); recovery
new; neo-; newness; novelty; Gregorian calendar; Xin dynasty (of China; 9-23 CE)
isolated and helpless; alone and unassisted
as if; as it were; as though; right then; just then; at that moment
dark; gloomy; depressed; dispirited; dark (in colour); dull; ill-boding
established policy; existing procedures
low (rank, degree, value, content, quality, etc.); low (position); close to the ground; short (height); deep (voice); in a low key
severe; harsh; hard; cruel; rigorous
fight; dispute; feud; competition; contest; rivalry
to roll up; to enfold; to swallow up; to involve; to drag into
one mind; wholeheartedness; one's whole heart
whistling (wind); blowing; fluttering (in the wind); waving; staggering; tottering
assertion; declaration; affirmation
advice; counsel; suggestion; tip; hint
preface; introduction; preamble
full of confidence; brimming with (self-)confidence; having great faith in oneself
listen!; you see; mind you; remember
the die is cast; there is no going back; alea iacta est
to bury; to embed; to implant
to push; to thrust; to press (down); to push (e.g. a button); to stamp (e.g. one's name); to affix (a seal); to affix (e.g. gold leaf)
determination; resolution
fate; destiny (esp. as a mysterious force that binds two people together); relationship (e.g. between two people); bond; family ties; affinity; opportunity
coincidence; chance; by chance; unexpectedly; contingency
keenly; deeply; calmly; quietly; fixedly (gazing, staring); intently
from the standpoint of; from the viewpoint of; on; above; the best; top
comfortable; easy; calm; loose; spacious
liking very much; loving (something or someone); adoring; being very fond of
(matter) for congratulations; worthy of celebration; happy (occasion, ending, etc.); naive; too good-natured; gullible
to pass; to elapse; to pass through; to go through; to experience; to go through
destined; predestined; fated; fateful
treatment; service; handling (of a machine, tool, etc.); operation; treating as; treating like
to catch; to stop the blow; to react to; to take (advice, etc.); to accept