The Crucible Vocabulary

Adamant

refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind

Agape

(of the mouth) wide open, especially with surprise and wonder

Beguile

to charm or enchant someone, sometimes in a deceptive way

Calamity

an event causing great distress; a disaster

Conciliatory

intended or likely to make less angry; to pacify

Excommunication

to officially exclude someone from participation in the sacraments and services of the Christian Church

Faction

a small, organized, dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics

Penitence

feeling or showing sorrow or regret for having done wrong; repentant

Providence

the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power

Purge

to remove an unwanted feeling, memory or condition

Retaliation

to make an attack or an assault in return for a similar attack

Sibilance

making or characterized by a hissing sound

Tantalize

to torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable

Vanity

excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements

Remorseless

Without regret or guilt.

Contentious

Causing or likely to cause an argument.

Daft

Silly; foolish.

Affidavit

A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use of evidence in court.

Deposition

The written record of a witness’s out-of-court testimony.

Pretense

An attempt to make something that is not the case appear true; a false display of attitudes, feelings, or intentions.

Imperceptible

Impossible to perceive.

Beckons

To attract the attention or summon someone using a hand, arm, or head gesture.

Covenanted

An agreement that brings about a relationship of commitment between God and his people.

Effrontery

Rude, arrogant, or disrespectful behavior.

Prodigious

Remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree; unnatural; abnormal.

Reproach

To accuse someone or address someone in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment.

Qualm

An uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one’s own conduct; a misgiving.

Probity

The quality of having strong moral principles; honesty; decency.

Magistrate

An official entrusted with administering laws; a judge

Condemnation

The state of being condemned (n.) (condemn means to censure or blame)

Conviction

A strong persuasion or belief

Dignity

the quality or state of being worthy, honored, and esteemed

Charity

Benevolent goodwill toward or love of humanity; generosity and helpfulness, especially toward the needy and suffering.

Ameliorate

To make better or more tolerable

Indignant

Unworthy

Contempt

Willful disobedience to or open disrespect toward a court or judge

Base

Morally low or mean; selfish; cowardly

Pious

Dutiful; religious (Elizabeth Proctor)

Predilection

Something you already like.

Parochial

narrow; limited

Ingratiating

Having a personal quality that appeals to others.

Dissembling

A claim that is not supported by fact (lying)

Subservient

Submissive (Meek)

Calumny

False accusations (slander)

Inferentially

Reasonable assumed (inference)

Inculcation

Teach by repetition

Propitiation

reconciliation

Licentious

Breaking the rules