does not seem; unlikely; improbable
to extol; to sing the praises of; to celebrate; to declare; to stipulate; to express
vague; fuzzy; elusive; slippery
elucidation; explication; explaining; unravelling; clarification; understanding
chance; start; opportunity; cause; reason; excuse
incomprehensible; mysterious; inexplicable; inscrutable; enigmatic; baffling
beginning; start; outset; at first; at the beginning; initially
suspicious-looking; shady; questionable; dubious; fishy
result; consequence; consequently; as a result; as a result of; following
ancient civilization; ancient civilisation
to give one's name (as); to introduce oneself (as); to claim to be; to call oneself; to reveal oneself (as); to admit to being
ahead; forward; (in) front; having a square front
to face on; to look out on to
to cover a surface; to spread all over; to blanket; to lay
center; centre; metropolis
one's origin (e.g. city, country, parentage, school)
stronghold; inner citadel; base; headquarters
royal capital; imperial capital
energy; vigour; vigor; liveliness; spirit; life
to be full of (e.g. adventure, youth, energy); to be overflowing with
megalopolis; megacity; supercity
centre; center; pivot; central nervous system
old; aged; long; since long ago; of the distant past; long-ago
planned; scheduled; systematic
to draw; to paint; to depict; to describe; to picture in one's mind; to imagine
orderly; regular; systematic; well-organized; well-organised; trim
division; section; compartment; block; plot; lot
division; splitting; sharing; distribution; draw; tie
Buddhist temple; religious building; church; cathedral
business district; shopping district; bustling street; shopping centre; shopping center; downtown
commerce; trade; business
people; citizens; subjects; folk
to live (on, by, etc.); to lead a life; to make a living; to earn a livelihood; to spend one's time (doing); to pass one's days (doing)
residence; living (at, in); abode
exterior; outside; outer; external; lateral
(common) soldier; rank and file; army; troops; warfare; strategy
place; spot; grounds; arena; stadium; range
to get; to secure; to learn; to master; to complete
inspection; examination; check; checkpoint; screening; inspection (esp. by police or security)