Vocabulary

underhanded; unfair

locking up (doors and windows); fastening the doors

to be bewildered; to be perplexed

as likely as not; fifty-fifty; even match; tie

second wife

back row; rear rank

to make a mistake (in); to commit an error; to do incorrectly; to err

wrong diagnosis; misdiagnosis

operator (e.g. telephone)

marquis; marquess

fair; just and upright; open and honest; aboveboard; honourable

thick board; plank

to hum (a tune); to sing to oneself; to croon

dictation; verbal statement

contrivance; managing (to raise money)

schoolmate; alumnus

hardness; solidity

to begin to rain; to begin to snow

to rain incessantly; to downpour

high tide; high water

deluxe edition

hero; bold person; daring person; great person; extraordinary person

largehearted; frank; unaffected

moment by moment; hour by hour

black spot; dark spot

modern; current; contemporary; trendy; latest; up-to-date

to shine

sandpit; sandbox

reprinting

silk goods

to overlook; to command a view of; to look down on

to see without obstruction; to get an unobstructed view (of); to see through

elder statesman; doyen; old-timer; authority

strict guard

to (call and) stop; to call (someone) to stop; to hail (e.g. a taxi)

to look back on (the past); to reflect on; to reminisce about

the whole body

mixture of ingredients (originally five)

speed of light

great achievement; glorious deed; (gaining) fame; (earning) distinction