Fall Vocabulary List

galvanize (verb)

• shock or excite, typically into taking action

• to calm or soothe

• to ignore or neglect

• to confuse or mislead

acumen (noun)

• keen insight, particularly in a specific domain

• a lack of understanding

• a type of fruit

• a form of entertainment

juxtaposition (noun)

• the act of placing two things together for contrasting effect

• the act of combining similar items

• the act of separating two distinct elements

• the act of comparing two identical objects

consummate (adj)

• showing a high degree of skill or flair; complete or perfect

• lacking skill or ability; incompetent

• average in skill; not exceptional

• partially complete; unfinished

discursive (adj)

• passing aimlessly from one subject to another

• focused and direct

• brief and to the point

• systematic and organized

synthesize (verb)

• combine a number of things into a cohesive whole

• disrupt a process

• create confusion among elements

• separate distinct components

espouse (verb)

What does it mean?

• to support

• to forsake

• to reject

• to ignore

tenable (adj)

• able to be defended or maintained; defensible and based on fact

• not able to be supported or justified

• lacking any substantial evidence

• completely unreasonable and illogical

cogent (adj)

• intellectually and logically convincing

• emotionally appealing

• vague and unclear

• superficially attractive

querulous (adj)

• full of complaints

• cheerful and friendly

• calm and composed

• enthusiastic and lively