The Crucible Act 1 & 2 Vocab List

For Ms. Bonfatti in Newton South

Allegory

n) a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one

Subtext

n) an underlying and often distinct theme in a piece of writing or conversation

Irony

n) a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result

Scapegoat

n) a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others

Crucible

1. n) a ceramic or metal container in which metals or other substances may be melted or subjected to very high temperatures

2. n) a situation of severe trial, or in which different elements interact, leading to the creation of something new

Persecution

n) hostility and ill treatment, especially on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation or political beliefs

Paradox

n) a situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities

Theocracy

n) government by divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as guided by God or a god

Propriety

n) the state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals

Wither

v) cease to flourish; fall into decay or decline

Trepidation

n) a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen

Prodigious

adj) remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree; enormous

Licentious

adj) promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters

Exaltation

n) an excessively intensified sense of well-being, power, or importance

n) an increase in degree or intensity

Poppet

n) a doll made to represent a person

Ameliorate

v) to improve or make something better, especially a bad situation, condition, or circumstance

Contempt

n) the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.

Begrudge

1. v) to give or concede reluctantly or with displeasure
2. v) to look upon with disapproval or envy

Base

adj) lacking in moral principles, having ignoble or selfish qualities, or being of low status or worth

Deference

n) humble submission and respect

Pious

adj) devoutly religious

Calamity

n) an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster

Lechery

n) excessive or offensive sexual desire; lustfulness

Pretense

1. n) an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true
2. n) a claim, especially a false or ambitious one