to play a leading role; to play a central part
10,000; ten thousand; 10^4
inferiority (e.g. numerical); inferior position; disadvantage; unfavorable situation; unfavourable situation
no matter what it takes; by any means necessary; at all costs; by hook or by crook
isolation; separation; remoteness; seclusion; reclusion; inaccessibility
situation; (present) state of affairs; circumstances
experienced; veteran; skilled; expert
and; moreover; besides; as well as; and on top of that; at the same time
careful; cautious; prudent; discreet; deliberate
(university) president; chancellor; principal; provost
to accept; to receive; to agree
pupil; student; schoolchild
argument; discussion; theory (e.g. of evolution); doctrine; essay; treatise
topographic map; elevation map
in addition; furthermore; above (which); on top of (which)
disorder; confusion; clutter; mess; muddle; disarray
to surround; to crowd around; to gather around; to encircle; to besiege
teacher; instructor; teaching staff; faculty member
participation; joining; entry
lively; active; vigorous; animated; brisk
opposite; reverse; contrary; front and back; parallel to; back to back
silence; stillness; quietness
eldest son (may be the only son); first-born son
defeat; lost battle; losing a war
frequently; repeatedly; eagerly; keenly; hard; terribly
protection; defence; support; safeguarding; championship; vindication
the past; bygone days; one's past (that one would prefer remained secret); past (tense); preterit; previous life
planning; devising (a plan); drafting; drawing up
association; society; organization; organisation
to decline (of morals, character, etc.); to become vulgar (e.g. of a conversation); to stoop (to); to be ruined; to go under; to fall (into hell)
though; although; notwithstanding; while; as; at the same time as
to clear up; to clear away; to refresh (e.g. spirits); to be cleared (e.g. of a suspicion); to be dispelled; to be banished
brow; glabella; middle forehead; area between the eyebrows
to wrinkle up (e.g. one's eyebrows, nose, etc.); to furrow; to crimple
grizzled; (hair) streaked with grey (gray)
gloss; luster; mellowness (of a voice); youthfulness (e.g. of skin); interest; appeal
to sigh; to breathe a sigh
equal (distribution, treatment, level, etc.); even; uniform