hardly any; almost nonexistent; very little
button (clothing); push-button; button
to tie; to fasten; to wear (necktie, belt); to put on; to total; to sum; to be strict with
laying the groundwork; behind-the-scenes maneuvering; consensus-building process; digging around the roots of a tree (before transplanting)
stimulus; stimulation; impetus; impulse; excitement; thrill
our country; our land; one's own country
to be of benefit; to be beneficial; to be useful; to do one good; to be good for one
change; alteration; difference; distinction; something wrong; abnormality
to affect adversely; to have a negative influence (on)
guess; speculation; supposition
region; limits; stage; level
to hold (in one's hand); to take (into one's hand); to own; to obtain
to turn over; to turn (pages); to leaf through (a book, etc.); to tear off; to strip off; to take off
argument; discussion; dispute; controversy
good thing; nice thing; good excuse; good grounds; interjection used to impress an idea or to urge a response
to know; to be aware (of); to be acquainted (with); to think; to consider; to believe
present condition; existing state; status quo; current state
material; materials; data; information; documents
attendance; presence; appearance
high-ranking officials; ministers; ladies and gentlemen; everyone
taking something into consideration; making allowances; discounting
sensation; feeling; tendency; propensity
spring; springtime; New Year; prime (of life); height (of one's prosperity); adolescence
unmarried woman; Miss; -ess; -ette
to marry (a woman); to take to wife; to take in marriage
seat; location (of a gathering, etc.); place; position; post
certainly; without fail; right and wrong; pros and cons
leading aristocrat; great house; grand seigneur; boyar
radiant smile; contented smile
happy; auspicious; propitious; naive