finally; in the end; at last; in the end; after all; never (happened)
preparation; arrangements; getting ready; provision; setup; reserving
underground; below the ground; world of the dead; the grave; underground (activities, movement, etc.); secret
kernel; core; nucleus; center; centre
uncharted territory; unknown waters; unfamiliar terrain
form; shape; state; condition; letter; correspondence
old-fashioned; ancient-looking; time-worn
to pass; to elapse; to pass through; to go through; to experience; to go through
extensive knowledge; erudition; learned; erudite; well-informed
roughly; approximately; round about; cursorily; briefly; quickly
as likely as not; fifty-fifty; even match; tie
when push comes to shove; when needed; when necessity arises; when the moment arrives
abrupt; sudden; unexpected
opposite side; opposition
all; whole; entire; complete (set); in total
revival (of an old system, custom, fashion, etc.); restoration; return; resurrection; rebirth
religion; religious affiliation; belief; religious activity
to become ...-ish; to appear like ...; to have a touch of ...; to become stained with ...; to become steeped with ...; to become smeared with ...
valuation; appraisal; evaluation; appreciation; recognition; acknowledgement
to make a decision; to draw a conclusion; to give a judgement; to hand down a verdict; to let go down; to lower; to do oneself
wrong impression; subjective impression; assumption; prejudice
(state of) apparent death; suspended animation
on countless occasions; many a time
pitch-dark; pitch-black; completely dark; very bleak (future); utterly hopeless
torch (made of pine, bamboo, reed, etc.); flambeau; torchlight
to go out (of a fire, etc.); to die out (before burning to ash); to fall through (of plans, etc.); to fizzle out; to come to nothing
origin; source; beginning; starting point
fireball; ball of fire; will-o'-the-wisp; jack-o'-lantern
ghost; apparition; goblin; monster; something unusually large
surrender; submission; capitulation; being defeated (e.g. by a problem); giving up; giving in
maximum; to the maximum degree; to the full; at a maximum
output (electrical, signal, etc.)
special; particular; peculiar; unique
improvement (e.g. in skill, ability); advance; progress; communication of opinions of the general populace to those of high rank