| adolescence |
the period in a person's life between childhood and adulthood. |
| assumption |
something that is supposed or believed without questioning. For example, if you ask someone whether she is allowed to watch TV during dinner, you have made an assumption that there is a TV in her house. Assumptions are ideas people have that are not based on proven facts. An assumption can be correct or incorrect. |
| complimentary |
expressing or giving praise. |
| criticism |
the act of judging what is good or bad in something. |
| descendant |
one who comes from a given ancestor or ancestors. |
| establishment |
the act of establishing. |
| hierarchy |
a body of persons or entities graded according to rank or level of authority. |
| justify |
to show to be true or right; prove. |
| mandate |
to require by law or because of a vote of the people. |
| misplace |
to put in a wrong place; lose. |
| mystify |
to confuse or puzzle, often on purpose. |
| offense |
the act of breaking a law or rule or doing something wrong; crime; sin. |
| offset |
to make up for or balance. |
| plaintiff |
one who initiates a lawsuit against another. (Cf. defendant.) |
| reject |
to refuse to take, approve, or believe. |