before; prior to; ago; the past; before; previously
to compare; to make a comparison (between); to compete (on); to measure (one's strength, ability, etc. against another's)
advantageous; favourable; better; profitable; lucrative; gainful
many; much; plenty; hardly
to protect; to guard; to defend; to keep (i.e. a promise); to abide (by the rules); to observe
meanwhile; in the meantime; by the same token; in contrast
supreme command; direction over all
on a routine basis; regularly; habitually
tightly; closely; exactly; precisely; suddenly (stopping); perfectly (suited)
to look out over; to survey (scene); to take an extensive view of
side (of something, or taking someone's side); part; (watch) case
yes; that is correct; understood; I see; present; here; pardon?
command; lead; generalship; leadership
to have (e.g. lunch); to take (e.g. vitamins)
to go around; to make a circle around; to surround; to circle; to come around (of a season, anniversary, turn, etc.); to return
self-proclaimed; self-professed; professing oneself to be; calling oneself; first person
common; shared; to be common (to); to be shared (by); -wide
temporary; transitory; short-lived
just (now); quite (near); unintentionally; subconsciously
the other day; a few days ago
military conflict; armed conflict
deterioration; getting worse; worsening; aggravation; degeneration; corruption
defeating; crushing; smashing; destroying
expectation; anticipation; prediction; forecast; conjecture
union; unity; bundling; binding; (arch.) putting on (clothes, armour, etc.)
sweet-smelling; fragrant; aromatic; good (reputation, condition, results, etc.); favorable
to succeed; to relieve; to take the place of; to substitute for; to be exchanged; to change (places with)
one cause; one reason; one factor
may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
veteran (e.g. soldier); battle-hardened; seasoned; (of) long military service
dragon (esp. a Chinese dragon); naga; semi-divine human-cobra chimera in Hindu and Buddhist mythology; promoted rook
to be better (than); to be superior; to surpass; to excel; to be excellent
thick; deep; kind; cordial; abundant
great commander; famous commander
to be inferior to; to be less good at; to fall behind
to descend (e.g. a mountain); to go down; to alight (e.g. from bus); to get off; to step down; to retire; to be granted
ordinary; common; mediocre
stupid; dim-witted; dense; dull; obtuse; slow
cowardly; timid; easily frightened
military operation; military tactics; military strategy
incompetence; inefficiency; inability; incompetent person
to be delighted; to be glad; to congratulate; to welcome (a proposal, advice, etc.); to take kindly to; to do with pleasure
doubt; question; suspicion; dubiousness
from what I've heard; according to reports; from what they say