to put oneself on guard; to stand ready; to square off
then; and then; and; if so; because then; if that's the case
letter; missive; note; mail
interesting; fascinating; amusing; funny; enjoyable; fun
to entrust; to leave to a person
management; (executive) staff; leaders; leadership; top brass; upper echelons
candidate; contender; prospect; candidacy; candidature; nomination
to forge; to temper; to drill; to train; to discipline
(having) life-and-death power (over)
manager; landlord; warden; root (user)
inhabitant; resident; citizen; population
bribe; sweetener; douceur
turning around (once); suddenly; abruptly; completely (wrapped in something); quickly (unwrapping something); beautiful, round (eyes)
to wind; to coil; to envelope; to shroud; to outflank; to skirt
string; cord; man who is financially dependent on a woman; gigolo; restrictions; conditions
to tie up; to tie together; to hang (oneself); to summarize; to put (it all) together; to estimate; to expect
red; crimson; Red; communist; (arch.) beautiful
to model on; to make in the shape of; to represent; to symbolise
affixing a seal (to); putting one's seal (on)
to peep (through); to peek; to await (one's chance); to guess; to infer
to disdain; to look down on; to make light of; to hold in contempt; to scorn; to despise
to serve; to work for; to attend
originator; ringleader; perpetrator; main culprit; person responsible
to persuade; to coax; to solicit; to seduce; to make advances; to make a play
to grow long (e.g. hair, nails); to lengthen; to extend; to reach out; to hold out; to straighten; to smooth out
guaranteed; authentic; certified
military force; military strength
expansion; extension; elongation; stretching
throughout; over a period of ...; over a span of ...
instant; moment; for an instant
absurd; unreasonable; extreme; senseless; disorderly; chaotic
(practical) application; putting to practical use; applied
to be effective; to take effect; to work; to function well; to be possible (to do, use, etc.); to be able to
to write; to compose; to pen; to draw; to paint
surreptitious glance; looking furtively
curiosity; inquisitiveness