English 10A Ms. Bartlett Vocabulary for The Crucible

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering Acts One through Four of Arthur Miller's The Crucible.

Crucible

A container that can withstand extremely high temperatures used to melt metals; Also, a severe trial or test

Inert

Motionless

Creed

A deeply held belief; A system of principles or beliefs, a religious doctrine, a statement of belief.

Predilection

A liking or preference

Defiled

Made dirty or corrupt

Differentiation

The differences or ability to distinguish between two or more things

Junta

A small group of military or government leaders that rule a country after stealing or being given power

Injunctions

A legal order or warning

Innate

Inborn; existing since birth

Ideology

The beliefs of an individual, group, or culture

Perpetuation

Keeping something going

Vain

Pointless, unsuccessful

Ingratiating

Intended to gain approval or favor; To bring oneself into favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them; social climbing, "sucking up" to someone

Autocracy

A country, state, or society governed by one person with absolute power

Antagonistic

Going against, hostile

Paradox

A statement that seems illogical, contradictory, or impossible yet is actually true

Prospect

Possibility

Mere

A small or barely noticeable amount

Theocracy

A state or country that is governed by divine guidance or church officials

Propriety

Socially acceptable behavior

Apprehension

Worry, concern about what might happen

Congregation

Gathering, particularly religious in church

Pulpit

The podium from which the minister or priest speaks in church

Heathen

An uncivilized or unreligious person

Conjure

To summon a spirit or the devil with a magic spell or invocation

Faction

A group or clique, usually that goes against or disagrees with the main group in some way

Abomination

A disgusting or hateful act

Obscene

Offensive, immoral, indecent often related to sex, sin, or depravity

Gibberish

Unintelligible or meaningless speech; nonsense

Deference

Respect, as in respect and esteem given to an elder

Parishoners

Members of a church; the people who attend a particular church

Homage

A tribute or show of respect

Marvel

Something that causes wonder or astonishment; to wonder or to be amazed

Providence

An event guided by God or divine intervention

Vindictive

Wanting revenge

Abyss

An immensely deep gulf or hole

Intimations

Hints, suggestions

Formidable

Worthy of or causing dread or fear, intimidating

Trepidation

Apprehension, hesitation, anxiety, fear

Partisan

A member of a party, faction, or cause

Calumny

The act of uttering false charges to damage someone’s reputation

Titillate

To arouse or excite

Notorious

Ill-famed; having an exceedingly bad reputation

Prodigious

Enormous or immense; extraordinary in size, amount, extent, degree, or force; amazing because of its size or force.

Exude

To display an emotion or quality

Arbitrate

To moderate or determine the outcome of a dispute.

Pretense

A false show or act of pretending

Iniquity

Injustice; evil; morally objectionable behavior; The absence of moral or spiritual values

Fathom

To understand or comprehend.

Defamation

The act of defaming someone, or ruining one’s reputation

Inculcate

To teach or impress by frequent repetition

Avidly

Eagerly, enthusiastically

Licentious

Lacking legal or moral restraints; immoral or "slutty"

Evade and evasively

To avoid; to avoid answering directly

Reprimanding

Scolding, punishing

Pallor

Paleness

Condemnation

Strong disapproval or punishment; sentencing

Entranced

Mesmerized, in awe

Perplexed (Act Two)

Very confused, bewildered

Conceding

Giving in, surrendering, admitting you were wrong

Ameliorate

To make better

Indignant

Feeling self-righteous anger; being angry because of something unjust, unworthy, or mean

Wily

Crafty, cunning

Pious

Devout, very religious, devoted to one’s religion and behaving accordingly

Covet

To secretly want what someone else has

Abundant

Plentiful

Contempt

Scorn or disdain; in the context of a courtroom, defiant or disrespectful to the judge

Befuddled

Confused

Effrontery

Shameless boldness; a very confident attitude or way of behaving that is shocking or rude.

Qualm

Misgiving, concern, worry

Gait

Pace, manner of walking

Base

Degrading, lacking morals

Slovenly

Habitually dirty and unkempt, especially in dress and person

Deposition & affadavit

Legal terms used for a sworn statement of fact given by a witness in a trial

Denounce

To publicly declare something wrong, invalid, or evil; to publicly criticize

Harlot, and lecher

A harlot is a prostitute or promiscuous woman; a lecher is a promiscuous man

Agape

In a state of wonder or amazement

Conciliatory

Eager to make peace, wanting to reconcile

Beguile

To trick by cleverness

Perplexed (Act Four)

Confused

Evading

Trying to avoid or escape

Penitence

Sorrow or regret for one’s sins

Gaunt

Excessively thin and drawn in appearance

Reprieve

To delay a punishment; a break or temporary relief from punishment

Adamant

Unyielding, convinced, stubborn, refusing to back down

Belie

To give a false representation or contradict their true beliefs or identity

Tantalizing

Arousing desire or expectation, pleasantly inviting, enticing, tempting

Ascertain

To find out or discover; to figure out

Abrogate

To annul, cancel, repeal or destroy; to revoke formally

Begrudge

To be envious of; to allow unwillingly; to wish someone else didn’t have something because you want it for yourself.

Malign

To speak unfavorably about, to "badmouth" someone

Maraud

A sudden short attack, a raid in search of booty. To attack or raid suddenly

Remiss

Derelict, failing in what duty requires, neglectful of one’s obligation

Persecute

To cause to suffer, to oppress or harass, often for one’s religious beliefs.