| A | B |
| (st. is) somewhat of (a mystery) | more than a little of a (n.), but not very much of a (n.) |
| an index of (things) | a standard by which the level of something can be judged or measured; an alphabetical list of names, subjects (etc) with numbers of where they can be found |
| a stylish (person) | attractive in a fashionable way |
| to acquire (possessions) | to obtain things by buying them or being given them |
| (to do st.) whereby (people can do st. else) | by means of which; in a way in which |
| (to communicate) via (text message) | using a particular technology, machine, person (etc) to send something |
| an ambiguous (message) | unclear, confusing, or not certain, especially because it can be understood in more than one way |
| (a, b, and c) constitute (d) | the parts that form something |
| an integral part of (st.) | a necessary part of something |
| (a business suit) is analogous to (a uniform) | similar to another situation or thing so that a comparison can be made |
| a military (purpose) | used by, involving, or relating to the army, navy, marines, or air force |
| a civil (program) | relating to the common people or things in a country that are not part of military, government, or religious organizations |
| in this context | the situation, events, or information that are related to something and that help you to understand it |
| to differentiate (A from B) | to recognize or express the difference between things or people |
| (a group) convenes | to come together, especially for a formal meeting |
| (st. seems) odd | different from what is normal or expected, especially in a way that you disapprove of or cannot understand |
| a contemporary (method) | belonging to the present time; modern |
| symbolic (clothing) | representing a particular idea or quality; using or involving symbols |
| a close-fitting (shirt) | so tight that it shows the shape of the body |
| (a change of) status | social or professional rank or position, considered in relation to other people |
| (your) academic specialization | a subject that you know a lot about; a field of expertise |
| (to wear) traditional attire | clothes or clothing that follow the styles that have existed in a country or culture for a long time |
| everyday wear | the clothes worn by a particular group of people on most days of the week; daily dress |
| formal wear | clothing such as a tuxedo for men or a long dress for women, that is worn to formal events |
| a sense of unity and pride | a feeling or perception about/among a group of people who have shared goals (loyalty) and great respect for the achievements of their group |