note (for reference); remarks; N.B.
brave; courageous; gallant; valiant; heroic
to manage a state; to govern a country
to be injured; to sustain a wound
to protect; to guard; to defend; to keep (i.e. a promise); to abide (by the rules); to observe
to use up all one's strength; to die
old tale; folk tale; legend; reminiscence
divorce of a couple who have been married for a long time (often brought on by retirement of the husband)
theory; doctrine; opinion; view; rumour; rumor
in that case; (might not be what was expected or hoped for but) if that's the case
falling lightly (e.g. snow, petals, confetti); fluttering; flickering; twinkling; appearing and disappearing; catching glimpses
heaps of corpses all around
remote past; far ago; time immemorial
leading; prominent; eminent; counting on one's fingers
riding; ride; spread (of paints); -seater (e.g. two-seater); (getting into the) mood; (entering into the) spirit
sinfonia; symphony; Italian overture
under one's eyes; below one's eyes
tranquil; calm; quiet; mild (weather); balmy
while it may be true that; just because; nevertheless; not necessarily
sharp rise (in prices); steep rise; substantial increase; soaring
important person; strategic person; key figure
university or college offering four-year programs; the big four ...; the four major ...
to reach back into one's memory; to search one's mind; to recall
goes without saying; needless to say; obvious
financial power; financial means; wealth
vassal state; vassal nation; dependency
resolute; firm; dauntless; undaunted
to tell; to (try to) persuade; to advise; to warn; to admonish; to reason
evening sky; twilight sky
to be sensible; to be smart; to be tasteful; to be thoughtful; to be tactful; to be sensitive
to relax; to make oneself comfortable