lively; active; vigorous; animated; brisk
dragon (esp. a Chinese dragon); naga; semi-divine human-cobra chimera in Hindu and Buddhist mythology; promoted rook
in good health; alive and well; going strong
each nation; many nations; many countries
war funds; war expenditures; military spending
cut; reduction; curtailment
far from; anything but; not at all; let alone; to say nothing of; not to mention
economic; financial; economical; thrifty; frugal
as; because; with; due to
clear; obvious; evident; bright; light
combat; battle; action; active service; actual fighting
to polish; to shine; to brush (e.g. teeth); to refine (e.g. a skill); to improve; to cultivate
the past; bygone days; one's past (that one would prefer remained secret); past (tense); preterit; previous life
to sweep; to brush; to clean; to gather silkworms
weak; frail; delicate; tender; unskilled; weak (wine)
foot of a mountain; plain at the foot of a mountain; range; spread; extent
to spread (out); to extend; to stretch; to reach to; to get around; to fill (e.g. a space)
to take into consideration; to bear in mind
power; might; authority; influence
scale; scope; plan; structure
decline; degeneration; decay; waning; ebbing
as is; as it is; as things are; like this; this way; at this rate
perhaps; likely; probably; I dare say
may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
quality; value; nature; inherent quality; logical quality
to supplement; to make up for; to compensate for; to cover (a shortage, loss, etc.); to fill (e.g. a vacancy)
wolf (Canis lupus); wolf in sheep's clothing; womanizer
tiger (Panthera tigris); drunkard; drunk; sot
derisory; negligible; minimal; nominal; imperceptible
once; before; formerly; never yet; never before; first time
to make a mistake; to be incorrect; to be mistaken
Satan; the Devil; the Prince of Darkness; king of the demons who try to prevent people from doing good
frantic; frenetic; inevitable death; brinkmate (inevitable checkmate)
I'm off; see you later; to go (and then come back)
dramatic; exciting; touching; extreme
fall; decline; lowering; deterioration; degradation
to invite; to ask; to beckon; to wave someone in; to call in; to send for
approximately; about; to (about) the extent that; (almost) enough that; as ... as ...; like
or something; for instance ... (though there are other suitable options); ... or ...; as soon as; right after; while still