Night by Elie Wiesel - Vocab List 1

1. Intrinsic

(adj) belonging naturally; essential. Syn: inherent, innate

2. Elusive

(adj) difficult to find, catch, or achieve

3. Usurp

(v) take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force

4. Profane

(adj) relating or devoted to that which is not sacred or biblical; secular

5. Beadle

(n) a ceremonial officer of a church, college, or similar institution

6. Morbid

(adj) having unhealthy interest in disturbing and unpleasant subjects

7. Patronize

(v) treat in a way that is apparently kind or helpful but that betrays feeling of superiority

8. Iniquity

(n) immoral or grossly unfair behavior; wickedness

9. Lament

(v) mourn (a person’s loss or death) (n) a passionate expression of grief

10. Interlocutor

(n) a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation

11. Waif

(n) a homeless, neglected, or abandoned person, especially a child

12. Kabbalah

(n) the ancient Jewish tradition of mystical interpretation of the Bible.

13. Emigration

(n) the act of leaving one’s own country to settle permanently in another

14. Maimonides

(n) influential Torah scholar in the Middle Ages

15. Fascist

(n) follower of fascism; authoritarian, far right-winger, militarist, Nazi

16. Ghetto

(n) a part of a city, especially a slum area, occupied by a minority group(s)

17. Gestapo

(n) the German secret police under Nazi rule. Led by Heinrich Himmler, this organization ruthlessly sent Jews and others to concentration camps

18. Surreptitious

(adj) kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of

19. Surreal

19. (adj) having the qualities of surrealism; bizarre; outlandish, eccentric

20. Conflagration

20. (n) an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property