(noun): the outer area of a city - Often, the outskirts of the city are the most peaceful.

(noun): a place, like a house, that provides protection from danger or weather We need to seek shelter before the storm.

verb): to be assigned to a particular place like in the military - My father was stationed in Germany for two years with the airforce.

start - The vice-president decided to launch his election campaign last week.

(verb): to stop or give up on something - The ruling government abandoned its decision to raise taxes further because of voter discontent.

(adjective): hopeless - The economy looks very bleak at this point with sky-high inflation and unemployment at 27 percent.

(verb): continues slowly on - The conflict has lingered on for more than three years.

(adjective): enough - If adequate food supplies do not become available, many people will not survive the winter.

(noun): a sudden and widespread start of an infectious disease among many people There has been an epidemic of malaria for the past three months.

(verb): to put down or end - The military used force to quell social unrest.

(noun): a state of extreme hunger which can lead to death - Thousands of people are on the verge of starvation in that country.

(noun): large guns, often on wheels, used by armies - Developing countries in that region are increasing their stockpiles of artillery as a way to demonstrate their military muscle.

(noun): strongly defended places - The army attacked the enemy's strongholds just before dawn.