Vocabulary

person who has rendered distinguished service

merit bonus

meritorious retainer

utility

utilitarian

merits and demerits

village along a (large) river

Zen disciples

drum used in ancient warfare to signal an attack

offense; offence; method of attack

offensive and defensive alliance

siege

dedication to study or research

offensive weapons

offensive strength; offensive power; striking power

attacking force

offensive camp; team at bat

attack forces

attacking formation

attack preparedness

aggressiveness

proctology

putting on a brave face; put-on cheeriness; pretending one is fine; show of courage; bravado; Dutch courage

aerial photograph

aerial inspection

air-borne bacteria

aerial refueling; in-flight refueling

gliding

midair collision

antenna

air rights

air-raid

dead letter

fictitious business trip; fraudulent claim of expenses for a nonexistent business trip

flattery; insincere praise; empty compliments

clicking the shutter of a camera without taking a picture (because no film is loaded, or in order to advance the film)

thinking one saw something that wasn't actually there; hallucination

aerodynamics

vent

air compressor