The Crucible Act IV Vocabulary

Adamant

refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind

Agape

(of the mouth) wide open, especially with surprise and wonder

Beguile

to charm or enchant someone, sometimes in a deceptive way

Calamity

an event causing great distress; a disaster

Conciliatory

intended or likely to make less angry; to pacify

Excommunication

to officially exclude someone from participation in the sacraments and services of the Christian Church

Faction

a small, organized, dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics

Penitence

feeling or showing sorrow or regret for having done wrong; repentant

Providence

the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power

Purge

to remove an unwanted feeling, memory or condition

Retaliation

to make an attack or an assault in return for a similar attack

Sibilance

making or characterized by a hissing sound

Tantalize

to torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable

Vanity

excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements