Twelve Angry Men — Vocabulary
Reginald Rose
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
130 top 2000
foremansupervisor
She complained to the shop foreman.more
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5TH JUROR [to the FOREMAN, hesitantly]: Are we going to sit in order?129 more
a juror in a court case who is selected by other jurors to head the jury
Show general definition a person chosen to lead and speak for a group, especially at work or in a courtroom
Show editor's word notes At work, a foreman is the worker who supervises and directs other workers, often in factories, workshops, or on construction sites. In a court case, the foreman is the juror selected to lead the jury and announce its decision.
13 top 500
motivereason (for doing something)
She believes the profit motive encourages people to satisfy other people's needs.more
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Well, I was looking for the motive.†12 more
Show general definition for motive (as in: What is her motive?) a reason for doing something
14 top 2000
testimonythe statement of a witness at a trial
Her emotional testimony moved the jury.more
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Well, I think that testimony that could put a human being into the electric chair should be that accurate.13 more
a statement that serves as evidence
Show general definition something that serves as evidence -- especially a statement at a trial or hearing
3 top 500
simulateimitate or represent
A computer model is used to simulate the effects of wind.more
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The 12TH JUROR crosses to the 8TH JUROR and using his closed hand, simulates stabbing the 8TH JUROR in the chest.2 more
simulate → simulates:makes an imitation or representation of
Show general definition make an imitation or representation of
5 top 2000
testifytestify → testified:provided oral evidence in court
She testified against the robber.more
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The woman testified in court.4 more
testify → testified:provided evidence of something -- especially oral evidence in court
Show general definition provide evidence of something -- especially to say something under oath in a court of law
3 top 1000
arrogantwith an excessive sense of superiority
She is rude and arrogant.more
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The arrogance of the guy!†2 more
arrogant → arrogance:having an excessive sense of superiority
Show general definition having an excessive sense of superiority
3 top 2000
hobbledwalked with difficulty
After injuring her ankle, she hobbled between classes.more
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The 8TH JUROR hobbles, dragging one leg, toward the chair that serves as the bedroom door.2 more
hobbled → hobbles:walked with difficulty (as though with an injury or physical impediment)
Show general definition for hobbled (as in: she hobbled up the hill) walked with difficulty (due to injury or physical impediment)

or:

hindered (made the action or progress of something difficult)
2 top 2000
mandatoryrequired by law
In our state, the mandatory minimum sentence for a gun crime is ten years.more
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The death sentence is mandatory in this case.1 more
required by rule or law
Show general definition for mandatory (as in: it is mandatory) required by rule or law
2 top 1000
prejudiceunreasonable and unfair belief or feeling
The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more
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And no matter where you run into it, prejudice obscures the truth.1 more
unreasonable and unfair beliefs or feelings -- especially against members of a race, religion, or other group
Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
1 top 100
precedeprecede → preceded:were before in time
Stone tools preceded bronze tools.more
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And it kills me, I mean it's the weirdest thing sometimes the way they precede the idea with some kind of phrase.†
to go or do before
Show general definition to go or do before
2 top 2000
avengetake revenge for
In the story, she wants to avenge the murder of her brother.more
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Ever since we walked into this room you've been behaving like a self-appointed public avenger.1 more
avenge → avenger:someone who takes revenge
Show general definition take revenge for a perceived wrong
2 top 2000
vigorenergy and strength
After a good night’s sleep, she woke up full of vigor and ready to tackle the day’s challenges.more
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The 10TH JUROR blows his nose vigorously.†1 more
vigor → vigorously:in a strong or energetic manner
Show general definition strength, energy, or good health
2 top 2000
coincidencea situation where things happened at the same time by chance even though it was unlikely
It was a pure coincidence that both got sick the same weekend.more
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It would still be an incredible coincidence for another person to have stabbed the father with the same kind of knife.1 more
a situation where two things happened the same by chance even though it was unlikely
Show general definition a situation where two things happened at the same time or in the same way by chance even though it was unlikely
2 top 2000
defendanta person (or institution) legally accused or sued in court
The defendant is confident she will be found innocent.more
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Nine of us now seem to feel that the defendant is innocent, but we're just gambling on probabilities.1 more
a person legally accused in court
2 top 500
monopolycomplete control of a product
The company was accused of trying to create a monopoly by buying out all its competitors.more
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Do you think you have a monopoly on the truth?1 more
a situation where there is only supplier of a good or service
Show general definition complete control over a product, service, or resource -- usually by a single person, company, or group
1 top 500
refuterefute → refuted:argued against
The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.more
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You can't refute facts.
disprove (prove that something is false)
Show general definition to disprove or argue against
1 top 500
divergemove apart
The two paths diverge here.more
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Now this is where the stories offered by the boy and the State begin to diverge slightly.†
to move apart; OR  be or become different
Show general definition to move apart; or be or become different
1 top 1000
unanimouswith everyone in complete agreement
It was a unanimous decision.more
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However you decide, your verdict must be unanimous.†
with everyone in agreement
Show general definition with everyone in agreement
1
acquitofficially find "not guilty"
It took the jury only 30 minutes to acquit her of the murder charge.more
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Frankly, I don't see how we can vote for acquittal.
acquit → acquittal:an official finding of "not guilty"
Show general definition for acquit (as in: she was acquitted) to officially find "not guilty" of criminal charges
Show editor's word notes Being acquitted does not mean the court declared the person innocent. It simply means there was not enough evidence to prove guilt according to the law.

The amount of evidence required depends on the type of case. In a criminal case, where someone could go to prison, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—a very high standard. In a civil case, a lawsuit usually about money, the plaintiff only needs to show that the defendant is responsible more likely than not—a much lower standard.

This is why the same person can be found "not guilty" in a criminal trial (their guilt was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt) but still be found guilty in a civil trial for the same actions (because their guilt was more likely than not).
1
forgerya fake (a copy meant to look like the original)
The painting is a forgery.more
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He spent a year and a half in an orphanage while his father served a jail term for forgery.
making a copy of something and saying it is the original
Show general definition something that is represented as real even though it is a fake; or the making of such a fake item