Crucible Act 1 Vocab

Crucible

A severe test or trial; also a container used for melting metals at high temperatures.

Calamity

A disaster or misfortune that causes great damage or distress.

Defamation

The act of damaging someone's good reputation by saying untruthful things.

Vengeance

Punishment or revenge inflicted for an injury or wrong.

Propriety

Conformity to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals.

Lechery

Excessive or offensive sexual desire; lustfulness (often used in the play regarding adultery).

Predilection

A preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something.

Inculcation

The instilling of knowledge or values through repetition and persistent teaching.

Propitiation

An action designed to soothe, appease, or win the favor of a god, spirit, or person.

To dissemble

To conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs; to act hypocritically.

To quail

To feel or show fear or apprehension; to cower or flinch.

To ameliorate

To make something bad or unsatisfactory better; to improve.

To rankle

To cause persistent annoyance, resentment, or bitter deep-seated anger.

To discomfit

To make someone feel uneasy, confused, or embarrassed.

Abomination

Something that causes disgust, hatred, or moral outrage.

Parochial

Having a limited or narrow outlook or scope; narrow-minded (originally relating to a church parish).

Indignant

Feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment.

Licentious

Lacking moral discipline or sexual restraint; lawless.

Pious

Devoutly religious; making a hypocritical display of virtue.

Ingratiating

Intended to gain approval or favor; sycophantic or fawning.