to be on the verge of; to be about to; to be on the point of
focus (e.g. photographic); focal point
to die; to draw one's last breath; to breathe one's last
sobbing; weeping; fit of crying
to carry out (of somewhere); to transport; to take out
to crush (with the weight of misfortune)
recollection; retrospection; reflection; reminiscence
temporary truce; ceasefire
mental fatigue; worry; boredom
to be the ruin of (a person)
to tell (to do); to order; to tell on (someone); to tattle; to often say
daily income in cash; money paid by daily installments; money paid by daily instalments
in a crowd; ganging up (on); joining forces
how; in what way; I wonder
to stand on end; to bristle up; to be ruffled
to swell (from inflammation); to become swollen
once upon a time; a long time ago
to compile; to bring together; to weave; to put together; to bring to a conclusion; to wrap up
increasing the number of staff; hiring more people
bulky and heavy; massive; solid; dignified; imposing; composed
to make something look better; to put into (good, better) shape; to put up a front; to pose; to pretend
incompetent; no-talent; worthless person; dimwit; incompetence
moat; fosse; trench; underground air-raid shelter; dugout
before one knows it; before one realises; without one's knowledge; without noticing
to replace; to exchange; to interchange; to substitute
in truth; in actuality; at heart; the truth; the real story
every month; trite; commonplace; conventional
wet nurse; nursing mother
to worry (about); to fret (over); to be anxious
secret (recipe, medicine, etc.); mysteries (e.g. of an art)
to smile cheerfully; to crack a smile
to fret (over); to brood (about); to mope; worriedly; (fretting) constantly; (worrying) over this and that
chattering; talk; idle talk; chatty; talkative; chatterbox
to entrust (a matter) to; to leave to; to abandon oneself to (e.g. pleasure); to yield to (e.g. anger); to devote oneself to
hesitation; indecision; vacillation
to shelter (e.g. a fugitive); to harbour; to harbor; to hide; to give refuge to
something used to cover the eyes; blindfold; blinder; concealing one's home such that the interior cannot be seen from outside