pretext; history; past; according to ...; ... says
violence; oppression; high-handedness; tyranny; despotism
slander; bad-mouthing; abuse; insult; speaking ill (of)
salary; pay; medical care; treatment; advance preparation
severe criticism; damnation
shell; husk; hull; pod; chaff
gastritis; gastric catarrh
bureaucratic routine; red tape
leaving everything up to someone else
to knead; to thicken into a paste (stirring over a flame); to polish (a plan, etc.); to refine; to train; to drill; to gloss (silk)
troubled times; turbulent times
time of emergency; (in an) emergency
nothing but; none other than
depending on the situation; depending on circumstances
work (e.g. book, film, composition, etc.); opus; performance; production
every month; each month; monthly
older brother; elder brother
private; personal life; (one's) privacy
speech; expression; wording; language
battle; fight; fighting; engagement; contest
slight superiority (in knowledge, experience, ability, etc.); being slightly older
chicken and vegetable stew with bechamel sauce or fresh cream
apple cider (non-alcoholic); sweet cider; soft cider
whole face; all over one's face
irresponsible; perfunctory; lukewarm; half-baked; reasonable; moderate
to paint (draw) a picture
to make a lovely picture; to be perfect for a picture; picture-perfect; picturesque
by nature; by birth; naturally; natural; innate
virtue; charm; merit; good point