| adolescence |
the period in a person's life between childhood and adulthood. |
| argumentative |
given to quarrels, debate, or violent clashes of opinion, often without a cause; contentious. |
| authoritative |
accepted as correct and true; reliable as a source of information because said or written by an expert or authority. |
| balk |
to stop suddenly and refuse to go on. |
| calamity |
an event causing great harm, pain, or destruction; disaster. |
| commend |
to speak of with praise for some act or service. |
| crusade |
(often capitalized) any of the wars between European Catholics and Middle Eastern Muslims between 1095 and 1291. During these wars, the Catholics tried to take territory away from the Muslims. |
| distaste |
dislike or repugnance. |
| escort |
a person or group of people who travel with someone to protect, guide, or guard that person, or to show respect. |
| folly |
a lack of good sense or judgment. |
| helm |
a wheel or lever used for steering a ship. |
| notch |
(informal) a little bit. |
| plumb |
to examine closely. |
| so-called |
improperly or incorrectly called. |
| vicinity |
an area near or around a place; somewhere nearby. |