false impression; deceptive appearance; mere show
to be degraded; to come down in the world; to lose status; to be ruined; to fall low
elucidation; explication; explaining; unravelling; clarification; understanding
unflaggingly; steadily; untiringly; knocking; tapping; clicking
easy; smooth; without a hitch; quick
gun; cannon; artillery; ordnance
to cock one's head in puzzlement; to tilt one's head in contemplation; to wrack one's brain; to think hard
to scatter away; to vanish
military forces; hosts; troops
destruction; annihilation; devastation; catastrophe
extinction; extinguishment; disappearance; annihilation
commander; commanding officer; CO
knowledge; understanding; rules; regulations; deputy; acting
applications; uses; how to operate; operation procedures
the prospects look brighter; there is hope of accomplishing (something)
for a long time; since long ago; always; already; far in advance (e.g. reservation)
outstanding; excellent; exceptional; preeminence; distinction; extraordinariness
isolation; cut off; blockade; quarantine; interception; deprivation
this and that; one thing or another
dimly; faintly; absentmindedly; vacantly; idly; aimlessly
to lower one's voice; to speak with a hushed voice
sensitive; susceptible; emotional; impressionable; sentimental
approximate age; apparent age; marriageable age (esp. of a woman); age of maturity; appropriate age (to ...); old enough (to ...)
putting that aside; that said; apart from that; anyway; be that as it may
awkward; uncomfortable; embarrassing
to come together; to join; to get married; to become a married couple
twosome; duo; pair (of criminals)
four man group; quartet; the Gang of Four
to smell sweet; to be fragrant
to yield to temptation; to succumb
feel; touch; impression (of a person); most impressive passage; highlight; beginning
bath; bathing; bathhouse; public bath; room for drying lacquerware; base (wooden joint connecting the blade of a hoe, spade, etc., to the handle)
reception (e.g. of visitors); dealing with
main question; real issue at hand
in advance; beforehand; previously
here I am; I'm home!; presently; right away; right now
one by one; one at a time; in turn
how about ...?; I wonder; I don't know
apprehensions; misgivings; uneasiness; anxiety; fear