The Scarlet Letter: Quiz 1 Vocabulary

Antinomian

one who rejects a socially established morality.

Brazen

marked by contemptuous boldness.

Dearth

scarcity, lack, or famine.

Diabolic

devilish.

Edifice

a large, usually impressive, building.

Erudite

possessing or displaying erudition; learned.

Ethereal

celestial; heavenly.

Exigencies

a state of affairs that makes urgent demands.

Fervor

intensity of feeling or expression.

Ignominy

disgraceful or dishonorable conduct, quality, or action.

Infamy

evil reputation brought about by something grossly criminal, shocking, or brutal.

Iniquity

wickedness.

Lurid

gruesome; sensational

Obstinacy

fixed and unyielding; stubborn.

Odious

exciting or deserving hatred or repugnance.

Physiognomies

the facial features held to show qualities of mind or character by their configuration or expression.

Piety

reverence to God.

Progenitors

an ancestor in the direct line; a forefather.

Propinquity

nearness in place or time.

Sagacity

the quality of keen and farsighted penetration and judgement.

Sanctity

Godliness or sacredness.

Scurrilous

grossly and offensively abusive.

Stealthily

slow, deliberate, and secret in action or character.

Subvert

undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution).

Throng

a great number of persons crowded together.

Transgression

an act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct; an offense.

Usurp

to seize and hold (a position, power, etc.) by force or without legal right.

Utopia

a place or state of political or social perfection. Coined by Sir Thomas Moore in a novel about a perfect society.

Venerable

made sacred especially by religious or historical association.

Visage

appearance.