The Crucible Vocab

Persecute

cause to suffer

• He believed he was being persecuted wherever he went, despite his best efforts to win people and God to his side 

Province

the territory in an  administrative district of a nation

• Salem had been established hardly fort years before. To the European world, the whole province was a barbaric frontier inhabited by a sect of fanatics who, nevertheless were shipping out products of slowly increasing quantity and value. 

Inhabit

live in; be a resident of 

• Salem had been established hardly forty years before. To the European world, the whole province was a barbaric frontier inhabited by a sect of fanatics who, nevertheless were shipping out products of slowly increasing quantity and value. 

Creed

any system of principles or beliefs

• Their creed forbade anything resembling a theater or “vain enjoyment”.

Somber

grave or even gloomy in character

• Which is not to say that nothing broke into this strict and somber way of life

Ordinance

give evidence of  OR a rule that is almost like a law

• That there were some jokers, however, is indicated by the   of appointing a two-man patrol whose duty was to “walk forth in time of God’s worship to take notice of such as either le about the meeting house, without attending to the word and ordinances or that lye at home or in the fields without giving good account thereof, and to take the names of such persons and to present them to the magistrates, whereby they may be accordingly proceeded against”.

Predilection

a strong liking for

• This predilection for minding other people’s business was time-honored among the people of Salem, and it undoubtedly created man of the suspicions which were to feed the coming madness.

Maraud

 raid and rove in search of booty/treasure or things to steal

• It stood, dark and threatening, over their shoulders night and day, for out it Indian tribe marauded from time to time and Reverend Parris had parishioners who had lost relatives to these heathen.

Heathen

a person who does not acknowledge a god

• It stood, dark and threatening, over their shoulders night and day, for out it Indian tribe marauded from time to time and Reverend Parris had parishioners who had lost relatives to these heathen.

Conjure

Summon into action or bring into existence

• Abigail: But we never conjured spirits

Faction

a clique that seeks power usually through intrigue

• Parris: There is a faction that is sworn to drive me from my pulpit?

Abomination

Something that evokes hate coupled with disgust

• Abominations are done in the forest 

Deference

 courteous regard for people’s feelings

• A certain deference springs into him, although his worry remains 

Conviction

 An unshakable belief in something without need for proof 

• Parris, with dwindling conviction now: a precaution only 

Partisan

a fervent and even militant proponent of something 

• He need not have been a partisan of any faction in the town, but there is evidence to suggest that he had a sharp and biting way with hypocrites

Calumny

A false accusation of an offense, a false statement against someone, slander

• In Proctor’s presence a fool felt his foolishness instantly - and a Proctor is always marked for calumny therefore

Pretense

The act of giving a false appearance 

• I never knew what pretense Salem was, I never knew the lying lessons I was taught by all these Christian women and their covenanted men!

Falter

move hesitatingly, as if about to give way 

• Elizabeth: John, if it were not Abigail that you must go to hurt, would you falter now?

Magistrate

a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law 

• The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you 

Pallor

: Unnatural lack of color in the skin 

• Her strangeness throws him off, and her evident pallor and weakness 

Compensate

make amends for 

• When will you proceed to keep this house as you are paid nine pounds a year to do -- and my wife not wholly well? As though to compensate, Mary Warren goes to Elizabeth with a small rag doll. 

Brim

the top edge of a vessel or other container 

• Mary Warren: They had Doctor Griggs examine her, and she’s full to the brim

Marvel

be amazed at 

• But be that not a marvel 

Traffic

deal illegally

• You will never believe I hope, that Rebecca trafficked with the devil

Monstrous

distorted and unnatural in shape and size

• No main may longer doubt the powers of the dark are gathered in monstrous attack upon this village 

Daft

foolish or mentally irregular 

• Proctor: I have never knew until tonight that the world is gone daft with his nonsense 

Afflict

cause physical pain or suffering in 

• Does someone afflict you, child?

Evade

avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing 

• Hale: You cannot evade me, Abigail

Exaltation

 the elevation of a person, as to the status of a god 

• Hale, with rising exaltation: You are God’s Instrument put in our hands to discover the Devil’s agents among us.

Enrapture

hold spellbound

• She is enraptured, and though in a pearly light

Exude

make apparent by one’s mood or behavior 

• Her gentle personality exudes care and concern, like a flowing

Defer