| assertion |
a declaration or statement, often without support or proof. |
| boon |
something that is a help or benefit. |
| commend |
to speak of with praise for some act or service. |
| consecutive |
following one after another without a break. |
| consult |
to look to for advice or information. |
| critic |
anyone who judges or evaluates. |
| definitive |
most reliable, complete, or authoritative. |
| diplomatic |
careful not to anger people or hurt their feelings. |
| gala |
a happy celebration, especially a large, elaborate one. |
| offensive |
not pleasant; disagreeable. |
| polarize |
to cause to concentrate around opposite points. |
| quay |
a pier, wharf, or other landing place for loading and unloading boats or ships. |
| recalibrate |
to reset or adjust the scale of (a quantitative measuring instrument or system), usually to maintain a correspondence with a standard. |
| spacious |
having plenty of space. |
| virtually |
practically; almost completely; very nearly. |