HARRISON BERGERON VOCABULAR

Y

Science Fiction Unit

VIGILANCE

WATCHFULNESS

For example, you may be more vigilant when you are in a haunted house expecting a shock or surprise.

VAGUE

NOT EXPRESSED CLEARY For example, your memories

of Christmas when you were five years old may be vague because you hardly remember.

ENVIOUS

JEALOUSY FOR EXAMPLE, YOU MAY BE

ENVIOUS OF ANOTHER PERSON’S TRAITS, SUCH AS INTELLIGENCE, HUMOR, OR STRENGTH.

IMPEDIMENT

AN OBSTACLE OR PHYSICAL DEFECT, SUCH AS WITH SPEECH.

FOR EXAMPLE, THOSE WHO STUTTER OR CANNOT PRONOUNCE CERTAIN SOUNDS CORRECTLY HAVE A SPEECH IMPEDIMENT.

LUMINOUS

TO RADIATE OR REFLECT LIGHT, BRIGHT

FOR EXAMPLE, SOME STORES PREFER TO USE A LUMINOUS ATMOSPHERE TO SELL PRODUCTS WHEREAS OTHER STORES CHOOSE TO MAKE IT DARKER.

GRACKLE

A LONG-TAILED, BLACK AMERICAN BIRD

CALIBRATED

TO PLAN OR DEVISE CAREFULLY, TO DETERMINE OR CHECK

FOR EXAMPLE, THE PROMETHEAN BOARD NEEDS TO BE CALIBRATED WHEN THE PEN DOES NOT LINE UP CORRECTLY ON THE SCREEN.

HINDRANCE

TO PREVENT OR STOP FOR EXAMPLE, A RAINY DAY MAY

BE A HINDRANCE TO ATHLETES PERFORMING WELL ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

CONSTERNATION

A SUDDEN, ALARMING AMAZEMENT OR DREAD THAT RESULTS IN UTTER CONFUSION; DISMAY.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE TWO STUDENTS STARED AT EACH OTHER WITH UTTER CONSTERNATION WHEN THE TEACHER TALKED ABOUT THEIR NEW ASSIGNMENT.

SYNCHRONIZE

TO CAUSE AN ACTION AT THE SAME TIME OR TO OPERATE TOGETHER.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE DANCE TEAM PRACTICES HOW TO SYNCHRONIZE THEIR KICKS FOR A GREAT EFFECT AT HALF TIME.