mountain range; mountain belt
undulation; ups and downs; highs and lows
pressure; oppression; suppression
to cling to; to stick to; to lie flat (e.g. on the ground)
mottled pattern; patchy pattern
to be aware of; to know about; to be concerned in; to have to do with
a follower; yield allegiance to
bringing; taking; carrying
utensil; appliance; furniture
assistant; adjunct; lieutenant
residing (esp. abroad); staying; living
comprehension; consent; understanding; OK; roger
to receive favor; to receive assistance; to receive help; to be looked after; to be taken care of; to become dependent (on)
getting rich quick; making a killing; making a fortune at a single stroke
speculator; adventurer; imposter; prospector
bribe; secret fund; slush fund; money for bribery
(one's) identity; background; upbringing; (one's) character
some; any; in any way; of some kind; of some sort
cunning and experienced in the ways of the world; crafty and worldly-wise; sly old (fox)
to board (a train, plane, etc.); to get into (a car); to get on (a bus); to march into; to enter; to arrive (at, in)
to open (e.g. doors); to open (e.g. business, etc.); to be empty; to be vacant; to be available; to be open (e.g. neckline, etc.); to have been opened (of one's eyes, mouth, etc.)
tacit; unspoken; implicit
taciturn; reticent; quiet; silent; untalkative
waterfowl; water bird; shorebird
simultaneous; all at once
flapping of wings; wingbeat; flap; flutter
shoe; shoes; boots; footwear; footgear
government; administration; ministry
to look old; to become time-worn; to become worn out; to become old and grubby; to become musty
staringly; fixedly; unblinkingly
fading; faded colour; faded color
shadow; shade; shading; nuance; shades of meaning; subtleties
flat; superficial; surface-level; one-dimensional
the five elements (in Chinese philosophy: wood, fire, earth, metal and water); the five phases; five practices of the Bodhisattvas; the five pillars of Islam
dhyana (profound meditation); Zen (Buddhism)
castle tower; keep; donjon
(national) capital (city); metropolis
to build up; to complete; to construct; to make up; to fabricate; to invent