to distance oneself (from); to keep (something or someone) at a distance; to maintain a distance (from)
past middle age; nearing old age; near-elderly; age 40
to sheathe one's sword; to lay down arms; to bury the hatchet
to spin; to make yarn; to spin (a tale); to assemble (e.g. words); to put together
cancellation; rescinding; release; calling off; lifting (sanctions); delisting
soft; tender; gentle; mild; informal; light
affection (esp. parental); love; fondness
to lose (through death) (e.g. wife, child)
truth; reality; sincerity; honesty; content; substance
to be used up; to be run out; to be exhausted; to be consumed; to come to an end
that gentleman; that lady; he; she
serious; earnest; real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)
wife; your wife; his wife; married lady; madam
to also be (implies that as well as the earlier stated this is also the case); to be ... or something
various families; various schools of thought
contribution (furthering a goal or cause); services (to a cause)
retreat; falling back; recession; waning; backspace (key)
to be at wits' end; to be greatly perplexed; to be troubled
reason; logic; sense; truth; right
cleaning; sweeping; dusting; scrubbing
victory or defeat; match; contest; game
disappointing (end, result, etc.); sad; miserable; tragic; fleeting; transient
killing a would-be avenger; having the tables turned on someone (e.g. by a challenger); being beaten at one's own game
to meet; to encounter; to see; to have an accident; to have a bad experience
(for something) to have occurred; to have done (something); (for something) to happen on occasion
interesting; fascinating; amusing; funny; enjoyable; fun
circumstances; conditions; situation; reasons; state of affairs
grasp; catch; understanding
distinguished service; meritorious service
it's been a long time; long time no see
and so on; and so forth; et cetera; comment; criticism
to knit one's brows (in discomfort, unease, disapproval, etc.); to raise one's eyebrows; to frown; to scowl
bathing; to bathe; to take a bath; to enter a bath
to know (a person); to think
this family; we; this house
surprise; astonishment; wonder; amazement
to raise one's voice; to shout; to yell; to speak up (e.g. in protest); to speak one's mind