Adolescence /ˌæd

gesture /ˈdʒes.tʃə r / /-tʃɚ/ noun [ C ] SYMBOLIC ACT
2. an action that you take which expresses your feelings or intentions, although it might have little practical effect
The Government donated £500 000 as a gesture of goodwill.
Not having butter on his potatoes was his only gesture towards healthy eating.
gesture /ˈdʒes.tʃə r / /-tʃɚ/ noun [ C ] MOVEMENT
1. a movement of the hands, arms or head, etc. to express an idea or feeling
The prisoner raised his fist in a gesture of defiance as he was led out of the courtroom.
She made a rude gesture at the other driver.
growth /grəʊθ/ /groʊθ/ noun
1. [ U ] The growth of a person, animal or plant is its process of increasing in size
A balanced diet is essential for healthy growth.
Plant growth is most noticeable in spring and early summer.
2. [ U ] an increase in the size or the importance of something
The government is trying to limit population growth.
The rapid growth of opposition to the plan has surprised the council.
Electronic publishing is a growth area (= an area of activity that is increasing in size and developing quickly) .
3. [ C ] a lump (= solid mass) growing on the outside or inside of a person, animal or plant which is caused by a disease a cancerous growth on the liver
4. [ C or U ] something which has grown
Graham came back from holiday with a week's growth of beard on his chin.
height /haɪt/ noun [ C or U ]
1. the distance from the top to the bottom of something, or the quality of being tall
The sheer height of New York's skyscrapers is so impressive.
She's about average height (= neither short nor tall) .
2. the particular distance that something is above a surface
The bullet entered the body at chest height.
3. heights
a. high places, or the top of hills
Don't go up the tower if you're afraid of heights.
Machine guns were mounted along the heights behind the town.
b. a high level of success
He reached the heights of his profession at the age of 35.
Share prices scaled new heights yesterday.
Her husband rose to the dizzy/lofty heights of transport minister.
4. the height of sth
a. the time when a situation or event is strongest or most full of activity
August is the height of the tourist season. At the height of the violence/crisis we were left without any help.
b. an extreme example of something
the height of fashion
c. the time when you are most successful in what you do
She was at the height of her career when he first met her.