dreary; bleak; monotonous; tasteless; unrefined
practicality; utility; usefulness
complete devotion (to); total commitment (to); unvarying support (for); unwavering fixation (on); rigid preoccupation (with)
originator; ringleader; perpetrator; main culprit; person responsible
watch-keeping; guard; lookout
as (e.g. "do as one is told", "as we age we gain wisdom"); wherever (e.g. "wherever my fancy took me")
cake or snack served with tea
to break a promise; to go back on one's word; to renege
what I want to say is ...; the fact of the matter is ...; none other than ...
state secrets; secrets of the state
present (brought by a visitor); gift
neighbouring country; neighboring country; adjacent country
flight from one's country; seeking asylum; defection; emigration (for political reasons); (going into) exile; becoming a (political) refugee
to lead; to spearhead (a group); to command (troops)
military forces; hosts; troops
to check; to hold back; to keep at bay; to stop; to prevent; to stem
the world in general; society; convention
our country; our land; one's own country
god of war; (fig.) war hero
treachery; betrayal; perfidy
to establish a lead; to distinguish (between); to ascertain or tell the difference (between); to discriminate
many; much; plenty; hardly
achievement; meritorious deed; distinguished service; contribution
to betray; to turn traitor to; to double-cross
to catch; to capture; to grasp (e.g. meaning); to perceive; to captivate; to move (one's heart)
reasoning; inference; deduction; mystery or detective genre
natural virtue; personal virtue
large part; greater part; people in general; general public; mostly; for the most part
to trick; to cheat; to deceive; to seduce
shallow; superficial; thoughtless; short-sighted; foolish; silly
to betray one's country (to an enemy)
to run away; to flee; to make off; to start to run away
investigation; examination; inquiry; enquiry; survey
to yearn for; to long for; to follow (someone); to idolize (for virtue, learning, status, etc.)
to reward; to recompense; to repay; to retaliate; to get revenge
to keep one's mouth shut; to refuse to talk
to talk about; to speak of; to recite; to chant; to indicate; to show