contract; compact; agreement
one copy (of a document); one letter; one-way traffic; pure straight; winning hand containing nine consecutive tiles of the same suit (i.e. 1-9)
association; socializing; socialising; fellowship
noble (birth); royal; august; exalted; high-born; of high rank
to be treated to a meal; to be given a meal
uncharacteristic; unbefitting; unworthy (of)
hating; strongly disliking
young girl; lass; adolescent female
to raise (esp. overhead); to brandish (e.g. sword); to flourish; to wield (e.g. power, authority); to proclaim one's principles
opening (a letter, parcel, etc.); breaking the seal; unboxing (a product); unsealed mail
to dodge (e.g. a question); to evade; to sidestep; to give (someone) the slip
remuneration; recompense; reward; toll
to extract; to pull out; to draw out; to headhunt; to lure away; to poach
foundation (institution); syndicate; group
letter of invitation; letter of recommendation; reference
patent; special permission; license; licence
considerable; formidable; tremendous; really something else; exceptional; impressive
nucleus; backbone; medium-level; mid-level; main body (of troops); crack troops
business conditions; trade conditions; financial situation
bloodshot eyes; (doing something in a) frenzy
business; trade; operations; sales
competition; contest; rivalry; competition (between organisms or species)
intensification; aggravation
lumping together; summing up; bundle; lump; batch
stock; share; stump; (clump of) roots; plant with attached roots or stem; strain (of bacteria, etc.); stock company
recommendation; referral; endorsement
particular interest; fondness
results of a scientific investigation; findings
show (of power, ability, etc.); exhibition; demonstration; display; manifestation
government; administration; ministry
present; current; in operation
very likely; very probable
business; enterprise; venture; (social) project; undertaking; enterprise
half joking; being (only) half serious; (in a) jocular vein
to come fluttering in (e.g. leaves, snow, flowers, etc.); to come dancing in; to drop in unexpectedly; to happen unexpectedly
shabby; unsightly; unkempt
membership registration; member registration; enrolling as a member; subscription
if so; in that case; in that situation