to slip through; to slip past; to evade
sometimes; at intervals; occasionally; on occasion; from time to time
great antiquity; old-fashioned; long ago
formation; establishment; conclusion (e.g. of a deal); reaching (e.g. an agreement); being valid (of a theory, argument, etc.); holding
now (esp. in contrast to the past); now at last; at present; right now
to prick; to stab; to poke; to prod; to use (a cane); to prop oneself up with
secrecy; highly classified information
affinity; compatibility; chemistry (between people)
shield; buckler; escutcheon; pretext
long-handled Chinese spear; lance; weapon; arms; grip of a bow; parade float decorated with long-handled Chinese spears
firm; strong; solid; stable
there is no need to ...; never happens; there is never a time when
suddenly; all of a sudden
unauthorized (computer) access; hacking
intercept; interception; counter-attack
to reverberate; to resound; to echo; to have one's fame spread; to be renowned
to need; to demand; to take; to require
characteristic (of); peculiar (to)
all; whole; entire; complete (set); in total
overhead; above one's head; high in the sky
form; shape; state; condition; letter; correspondence
cave-in; collapse; sinking; depression (e.g. of the skull); subsidence
the end; the extremity; the limit; the limits; the result
knowing; (an) acquaintance
to blurt out; to let slip; to say inadvertently; to come out with (e.g. nonsense)
review (of learned material); revision
intruder; invader; trespasser; raider
repulse; repelling (e.g. the enemy); driving back
defending to the last; desperate defence; stubborn defence
to keep company; to look after; to entertain; to play (a game) with
practice; practising; exercises; manoeuvres; seminar (student debates, presentations, etc.); practicum
usual; normal; everyday; usually; normally; generally
to have meaning; to be meaningful
to try; to attempt; to have a go (at something)
to let (someone) hear; to tell (e.g. a story); to make (someone) listen; to make (someone) understand; to grip (someone) with skilful singing, storytelling, etc.; to hold (someone) enchanted by
several minutes; a few minutes