Vocabulary for Miller's The Crucible - Act I

A set of vocabulary flashcards from Miller's The Crucible covering key terms from Act I.

parochial

Having a narrow-minded outlook; restricted to the borders of a parish.

ideology

A system of concepts or a manner of thinking held by a particular group or culture.

theocracy

A form of government in which a country is ruled by religious leaders.

repression

A mental process by which an internal censor prevents an unpleasant memory, emotion, or desire from being recalled, felt, or expressed.

dissemble

To act, pretend, or counterfeit; to put on a false appearance.

faction

A sub-group within a larger group; a party that is bent on pursuing its own interests at the expense of other groups.

corroborate

To help prove a point by providing evidence.

trepidation

A fear that causes one to hesitate; a feeling of fearful or nervous agitation.

calumny

An untrue statement that is made to damage another person's reputation; slander.

partisan

An adherent to a faction, party, or cause; an adherent exhibiting blind allegiance to a party.

pretense

A false show of something; an insincere display of feelings or intentions.

arbitrate

To mediate a dispute between two groups; to settle an argument after hearing from both sides.

contiguous

Connected through physical or temporal proximity; the condition of being next to one another in space or time.

quail

To recoil in dread or terror; to lose courage or draw back in fear.

ascertain

To find out or learn with certainty.

inculcation

To impress something upon a person through frequent repetition.

reactionary

Holding or showing ultraconservative political views.

mores

The customs, habits, and behaviors that are deemed acceptable by a particular group.

lascivious

Filled with or showing sexual desire.

proceed

To continue to do something, especially after a brief pause; to go forward or carry on an action.

evade

To avoid doing, facing, or dealing with something; to stay away from someone.

enlist

To enroll oneself or someone else in an organization such as the military.