Auschwitz-Birkenau Vocab

Abject

(adj) extremely bad, unpleasant, degrading

Babushka

(n) a woman’s scarf, often triangular, used as a hood with two ends tied around the chin

Complacent

(adj) showing uncritical satisfaction with one’s achievements

Derisive

(adj) expressing ridicule

Dissention

(n) disagreement

Insignia

(n) a badge or distinguishing mark of rank, office, or membership of an organization,

Lacerate

(v) tear or make deep cuts in

Lorries

(n) trucks (similar to semi/dump trucks)

Presumptuous

(adj) failing to observe the limits of what is appropriate

Prevalent

(adj) widespread in a particular area at a particular time

Reprimand

(n) an official rebuke

Stricken

(v – past participle of strike) or (adj) affected by an undesirable condition

Stoic

(n) someone who can withstand pain or hardship without expressing emotions or complaining

Vestige

(n) a trace of something that no longer exists or is disappearing

Vigilant

(adj) keeping careful watch

Dissuade

(v) persuade someone to NOT take a course of action

Epidemic

(adj) affecting many people at one time (as in disease), prevalent, widespread

Grimace

(n) an ugly, twisted expression on a person's face, typically expressing disgust, pain, or wry amusement

Incredulous

(adj) unwilling or unable to believe something

Incessant

(adj) continuing without pause or interruption

Muselman

(n) camp slang for those who have lost the will to survive; a walking skeleton

Pilfer

(v) steal

Provocation

(n) action or speech that makes someone angry

Recoiling (v)

to flinch back in horror or to shrink mentally

Staccato

(adj.) performed with each note sharply detached or separated from the others

Stalwart

(adj or n) reliable, loyal, hardworking

Supersede

(v) take the place of someone previously in authority

Trepidation

(n) a feeling of fear or agitation that something may happe