Vocabulary from The Crucible

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and their definitions from the play 'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller.

Persecute

To subject someone to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race or political or religious beliefs.

Vindictive

Having or showing a desire to hurt someone who has hurt or caused problems for you.

Formidable

Very powerful or strong; deserving serious attention and respect.

Trepidation

A feeling of fear that causes you to hesitate because you think something bad or unpleasant is going to happen.

Calumny

The making of false and defamatory statements in order to damage someone's reputation; slander.

Defamation

The action of damaging the good reputation of someone; slander or libel.

Indignant

Feeling or showing anger because of something that is unfair or wrong.

Begrudge

To think that someone does not deserve something; to regard something as not being earned nor deserved.

Concede

To say that you accept or do not deny the truth of something; to admit something usually in an unwilling way.

Pious

Deeply religious; devoted to a particular religion.

Wily

Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully.

Covet

To want something that one does not already have; to yearn to possess something.

Daft

Silly, foolish.

Tainted

Contaminated or polluted; affected with a bad or undesirable quality.

Obstruct

To slow or block the movement, progress, or action, of something or someone.

Avid

Having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something.

Vile

Extremely unpleasant or bad; morally bad or wicked.

Callously

In a manner showing an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.

Guile

Sly or cunning intelligence; the use of clever and usually dishonest methods to achieve something.

Vengeance

Punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense.

Vanity

Excessive pride in one’s own appearance or achievements.

Slovenly

Messy or untidy, especially in personal appearance.

Transfix

To be unable to move or to stop looking at something because one is so interested, surprised, or frightened.

Denounce

To publicly state that someone or something is bad or wrong; to criticize harshly and publicly.

Gaunt

Very thin usually because of illness or suffering.

Reprieve

An official order that delays the punishment of a prisoner who is sentenced to death; a delay that keeps something bad from happening.

Adamant

Not willing to change; determined.

Spite

Petty ill will; a desire to harm, anger, or defeat another person especially because you feel that you have been mistreated or wronged in some way.

Tantalize

To tease or torment by presenting something desirable but continually keeping it out of reach.

Rescind

To revoke, cancel, or repeal a law, order, or agreement.