Vocabulary List

Front 1

Proclivity (n)

Back 1

Proclivity (n)(proh-kliv-i-tee)proclivities - pl.A natural propensity or inclination; predisposition. A proclivity is a tendency to behave in a particular way or to like a particular thing, often a bad way or thing.A proclivity is a natural tendency to like something, such as your sister's proclivityfor restaurants that serve hot, spicy food.When you have a proclivity, it feels automatic — you like what you like; you don't even have to think about it. The origin of the word proclivity supports this feeling. Proclivity comes from the Latin word proclivis, which literally means "sloping forward." You slide toward a proclivity — no effort is needed. You just give in to it, since you're headed in that direction naturally.1. As a young child, the award-winning singer had a proclivity for music. 2. His proclivity for cooking made him a big hit in the homeowner’s association. 3. It is the proclivity of the gas companies to raise prices when demand is high. 4. If you cannot say anything else about her, you can certainly say she has a proclivity for drama! 5. While Franklin had overcome his gambling problem, he could not get past his proclivity to drink. 6. Your proclivity to only remember your side of the story is amazing! 7. Although Lawrence admired his girlfriend’s proclivity for trying new foods, he did not follow her lead and eat a grasshopper. 8. Because of her proclivity to wear unusual clothes, Tara was often a target of bullies. 9. Since the basketball player had a proclivity to play well at crunch time, the coach kept him on the bench until the fourth quarter. 10. The lawyer used his proclivity for exaggeration to pull the jury over to his side. _

Front 2

Tenable (adj)

Back 2

Tenable (adj)(ten-uh-buhl)tenability, tenableness (n); tenably (adv)1. Capable of being maintained in argument; rationally dependable: a tenable theory. 2. Capable of being held against assault; defensible: a tenable outpost.If you say that an argument, point of view, or situation is tenable , you believe that it is reasonable and could be successfully defended against criticism.If your teacher says your position on the benefits of abolishing homework is not tenable, she means it is not based in fact. To be tenable is to be evidence-based and well-founded.Tenable comes from the Latin root tenir which means "to hold," as in "hold together." If your plan is tenable, it will probably hold together when you execute it, or hold up to scrutiny. It's good to note that the opposite of tenable is untenable and not intenable, though throughout history both have been used.1. If the student maintains a certain grade point average, then the scholarship is tenable for four years. 2. Jim lost the debate because his argument was not tenable and quickly fell apart. 3. As the game neared its end, the coach told his players to hold a tenable position so their rivals could not score a touchdown. 4. The defense attorney knew his client would need a tenable alibi to stay out of jail. 5. During the battle, we were fortunate to be safe behind a tenable castle wall. 6. The judge quickly dismissed the prosecutor’s case because it lacked a tenable argument. 7. After three years of research, the scientist was able to present a tenable theory to an important scientific journal. 8. Adam knew his claim of innocence was no longer tenable when the DNA results linked him to the crime. 9. If you do not eat well before the race, it will be difficult to keep your energy level tenable. 10. When the captain realized the ship was no longer tenable, he ordered the crew and passengers into the lifeboats. _

Front 3

Espouse (tr.v)

Back 3

Espouse (tr.v)(ih-spouz)-poused, -plusing, -pouses (espouser - n)1a. To take in marriage; marry. 1b. To give (woman) in marriage. 2. To give one's loyalty or support to (a cause, for example); adopt.Use the verb espouse to describe the actions of someone who lives according to specific beliefs, such as your friends who espouse environmentalism and as a result walk whenever possible instead of taking the car.You can see the word spouse in espouse, so you may be wondering what husbands and wives have to do with it. Originally espouse did mean "to marry," but its meaning has evolved to include other long-term commitments as well, such as support for a principle or a cause. Similar to marriage, if you espouse a belief system, the idea is that you've chosen to wed yourself to it.If you espouse a particular policy, cause, or belief, you become very interested in it and give your support to it. mid-15c., "to take as spouse, marry," from Old French espouser "marry, take in marriage, join in marriage" (11c., Modern French épouser), from Latin sponsare, past participle of spondere "make an offering, perform a rite, promise secretly," hence "to engage oneself by ritual act" (see sponsor (n.)). Extended sense of "adopt, embrace" a cause, party, etc., is from 1620s. 1. People who espouse the Paleo diet claim that they feel better and it’s much easier to control their weight.2. Although the reviews were rather harsh, Emma had the grace to espouse the criticism and try to improve her performance.3. Although most scientists espouse the Big Bang Theory for the beginning of the universe, there is still no absolute proof of how we got here.4. While most parents would like their children to espouse the same value system as they do, today’s young people are typically very independent-minded and prefer to follow their own path.5. Just when you think that civilization has finally become enlightened, the media report some horrible crime committed by someone in an organization whose members espouse a doctrine of hate.6. According to the film about Abraham Lincoln, he had an uphill battle in getting members of Congress to espouse his views on the emancipation of slaves.7. I think most voters espouse the principles that the candidate is including in his platform, so he is almost a shoo-in to win the election.8. If you espouse the beliefs of Buddhism, you are not attached to material things.9. I was very surprised when I heard about all the important people in this city who espouse the Tea Party movement.10. Even though you’re my best friend, I can’t espouse your radical views on the death sentence.

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Front 4

Espouse

Back 4

Espouse (tr.v)(ih-spouz)-poused, -plusing, -pouses (espouser - n)1a. To take in marriage; marry. 1b. To give (woman) in marriage. 2. To give one's loyalty or support to (a cause, for example); adopt.Use the verb espouse to describe the actions of someone who lives according to specific beliefs, such as your friends who espouse environmentalism and as a result walk whenever possible instead of taking the car.You can see the word spouse in espouse, so you may be wondering what husbands and wives have to do with it. Originally espouse did mean "to marry," but its meaning has evolved to include other long-term commitments as well, such as support for a principle or a cause. Similar to marriage, if you espouse a belief system, the idea is that you've chosen to wed yourself to it.If you espouse a particular policy, cause, or belief, you become very interested in it and give your support to it. mid-15c., "to take as spouse, marry," from Old French espouser "marry, take in marriage, join in marriage" (11c., Modern French épouser), from Latin sponsare, past participle of spondere "make an offering, perform a rite, promise secretly," hence "to engage oneself by ritual act" (see sponsor (n.)). Extended sense of "adopt, embrace" a cause, party, etc., is from 1620s. 1. People who espouse the Paleo diet claim that they feel better and it’s much easier to control their weight.2. Although the reviews were rather harsh, Emma had the grace to espouse the criticism and try to improve her performance.3. Although most scientists espouse the Big Bang Theory for the beginning of the universe, there is still no absolute proof of how we got here.4. While most parents would like their children to espouse the same value system as they do, today’s young people are typically very independent-minded and prefer to follow their own path.5. Just when you think that civilization has finally become enlightened, the media report some horrible crime committed by someone in an organization whose members espouse a doctrine of hate.6. According to the film about Abraham Lincoln, he had an uphill battle in getting members of Congress to espouse his views on the emancipation of slaves.7. I think most voters espouse the principles that the candidate is including in his platform, so he is almost a shoo-in to win the election.8. If you espouse the beliefs of Buddhism, you are not attached to material things.9. I was very surprised when I heard about all the important people in this city who espouse the Tea Party movement.10. Even though you’re my best friend, I can’t espouse your radical views on the death sentence. __