Vocabulary in Harrison Bergeron

A government official whose job is to enforce equality by making sure no one is smarter, stronger, or more talented than anyone else, using physical and mental burdens called handicaps.

Devices or weights assigned by the government to hold back people who are above average, such as heavy bags of birdshot for the strong or radio transmitters for the intelligent.

Loud and disruptive; making a harsh, jarring noise that is hard to ignore.

A sudden feeling of anxiety or dismay that makes it hard to think clearly or act normally.

Here used figuratively to describe the mental joints or connections that allow thought to flow; when a thought is interrupted, it is said to be knocked off its hinges.

A small radio device worn in the ear by people of above-average intelligence that sends sharp, disabling noises to prevent them from thinking too clearly or for too long.

In this story's world, being above average in any way — stronger, smarter, or more beautiful — which the government treats as a problem requiring correction.

Small lead pellets normally used in shotgun shells; here packed into bags and worn as weights to slow down people who are stronger or more graceful than average.

Trained female dancers; in this story they are weighed down with handicaps and wear masks so their grace and beauty do not make others feel inferior.

A type of noisy, harsh-sounding North American blackbird; used here to describe the unpleasant sound blasted into the ears of intelligent people as a mental handicap.

To walk or move in a bold, showy, or exaggeratedly confident way, drawing attention to oneself.

Glowing or radiating light and brilliance; used here to describe an extraordinary, almost blinding beauty or intelligence.

Crouched down or shrank back in fear, making oneself small in response to a threat or a show of power.

To flinch or make a small, involuntary movement of pain or discomfort, especially in response to a sudden sharp sensation.

Cancelled out or made ineffective; in this story, exceptional abilities are neutralized by handicaps so they no longer give anyone an advantage over others.

Informal American slang for something remarkably impressive or extreme; here used to describe an unusually powerful or severe handicap.

Something that slows down or blocks progress; in this story, a physical or mental burden deliberately imposed to prevent someone from performing above average.