Meanings

de facto wife

quirk of fate

border strip

edge of a tray

curb (stone)

one's relatives by blood and marriage (in blood and law)

god of marriage

to be related to someone by blood

cornice

to be unable to accomplish something because one has chosen the wrong method

recruiting (inviting application for) through personal connections

crony politics

evacuating to the homes of one's relatives in the countryside in wartime

cause and effect

employment of workers through personal connections

blood relationship

de facto marriage

close relationship

ominous

(picture) frame