| allegation |
an assertion made in the absence of positive proof. |
| astride |
over or upon and with a leg on each side of. |
| authenticate |
to prove the genuineness, reality, or validity of. |
| confront |
to meet, face, or stand up to boldly. |
| enterprise |
a plan or project that is risky, bold, or difficult to carry out; undertaking. |
| escalate |
to increase in intensity or amount. |
| format |
the way in which something is arranged or organized. |
| motherly |
of or like a female parent. |
| placebo |
an inert substance given to a patient as if it were a drug in order to placate or to serve as a control in an experiment. |
| qualitative |
of or concerning the nature or attributes of something, as opposed to its amount. (Cf. quantitative.) |
| satisfactory |
good enough to meet a need or desire. |
| smirk |
to smile in a self-satisfied, offensively knowing, or self-conscious way. |
| spokesman |
a man who speaks for one or more other persons. |
| tamper |
to meddle in something when one is not asked, and so change or damage it (usually followed by "with"). |
| transcend |
to go beyond or rise above (a common limitation). |