meritocracy; merit system
old soldier; veteran; old hand
of all (things, people, places, days, etc.)
self-satisfied look; triumphant expression
a little while later; for a little while; some time later; for some time; presently
easy; simple; ready; casual; off-hand; easy-going
duty; sense of duty; honor; in-law; relation by marriage
to bear; to stand; to restrain; to control; to forgive; to put up with
doesn't amount to doing (something); not significant enough to require (something); unnecessary
particular; special; exceptional; particularly; especially; exceptionally
blunder; slip; error; error
to be satisfied (with an explanation, apology, etc.); to be happy
to yell; to rant; to rave
tanuki (Nyctereutes procyonoides); raccoon dog; sly dog; sly old fox; sly fox
tune; tone; vein; mood; condition; state of health
to warp; to bend; to contort; to be perverted; to be warped (of a view, mind, etc.); to be distorted
to be prolonged; to drag on
long (time that has passed); old (story)
before oneself; in front of one; a bit before reaching (a location); this side (of a location); one's standpoint; one's appearance; skill
in drops; dripping; gently (sloping); sluggishly; endlessly; leisurely
exposure to wind; severe criticism
day by day; by the day; (arch.) daily; (arch.) every day
in general; generally; mostly; gist; point; main idea
drawn-out (protracted) war or contest
internal conditions; true state of affairs
faint; dim; weak; poor; wretched; meagre
military campaign; battle; war
commandant; commanding officer; general
smiling; beaming; radiant; bright; cheerful
to paste; to stick; to affix; to station; to post
to resemble; to look like; to be like; to be alike; to be similar; to take after
to falter; to flinch (from); to recoil (from); to quail (at)
(dragging a large or heavy item) slowly; (falling) little by little; (slipping) gradually; on and on; while putting off; with a slurp
sword; blade; single stroke
to bear; to stand; to endure; to put up with
groping in the dark; exploring new avenues without having any clues