present condition; existing state; status quo; current state
neighbouring country; neighboring country; adjacent country
dukedom; duchy; principality
ownership; dominion; ownership rights; proprietorship; property rights
to go around; to return; to surround; to concern (usu. of disputes)
check; keeping in check; containment (of enemy forces); diversionary action; pickoff throw; holding a runner on base
to fan (oneself, flames, etc.); to flap (in the wind); to instigate; to stir up; to drive up prices (by buying a large amount of something); to take a photo from a low angle; to tailgate
quite capable of ...; could happen; not unlikely to
arrangement (of resources); deployment; stationing; posting; disposition; configuration
to refuse; to reject; to decline; to prevent (from doing); to deny (e.g. access); to block
centre; center; middle; capital; seat of government
military force; military strength
together with; as X, then Y (e.g. as we age we gain wisdom, as wine matures it becomes more valuable, etc.)
interference; intervention; meddling
to repel; to drive away; to repulse; to reject
work; business; company; study
profit; gains; benefit; advantage; grace (of God, Buddha, etc.) (esp. as attained through rightful actions, prayer, adherence to one's faith, etc.); blessing
to raise; to elevate; to do up (one's hair); to fly (a kite, etc.); to launch (fireworks, etc.); to land (a boat); to deep-fry
light; illumination; ray; happiness; hope; influence
darkness; the dark; bewilderment; despair; hidden place; secrecy
opposite side; bottom; rear; back; lining; inside; in the shadows
to covet; to crave; to lust insatiably for; to indulge in; to devour greedily
organization; organisation; structure; construction; system (e.g. railroad, transport, party, etc.); tissue; texture (of a rock)
secret manoeuvres (maneuvers); operating behind the scenes
underworld; underside of society
intelligence agency; secret service
crime syndicate; criminal syndicate
district; section; sector
scale; scope; plan; structure
thief; robber; burglar; bandit
evil influence; (evil) clutches; tentacles of evil
to spread; to extend; to unfold; to open; to scatter about; to spread around
satisfaction; pride; one's strong point; one's forte; regular customer; regular client
rock; boulder; crag; cliff; anchor
dwarf (esp. in folklore or fantasy literature)
many; numerous; large amount of; large quantity of; frequent; common
to live (of humans); to reside; to inhabit; to dwell; to abide
there (place relatively near listener); there (place just mentioned); that place; then (of some incident just spoken of); that (of point just raised); (arch.) you