the crucible act 1 vocab

crucible

a heat-resistant container in which ores, metals, and impurities are melted; bottom of a furnace; testing circumstances that cause people to change; an ordeal or severe trial

inert

unable to move or act; sluggish in action or motion

ingratiate

to gain favor with someone by deliberate efforts

paradox

a statement or idea that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth

dissemble

to conceal one’s true motives or thoughts often by giving a false or misleading appearance

begrudge

to envy or resent the pleasure or good fortune of someone else; to be reluctant to give or allow

formidable

causing fear or apprehension; discouraging because of awesome strength, power, size, or strength

trepidation

a state of alarm, dread, or apprehension; involuntary trembling or quivering

reckon

to count, compute, or calculate; to settle accounts, as with a person

partisan

a biased, even blind supporter of a person, group, or cause, often not willing to listen to other people’s opinions

titillate

to excite or arouse agreeably

pretense

an act that is actually pretend or false; a piece of make-believe

licentious

sexually unrestrained; lawless or immoral

goody

a term meaning Mrs.; a title for a married woman; short for “goodwife”

sport

for fun or play

dumb

mute; unable to speak

wits

intelligence; mental faculties

yeomanry

a class of English commoners who owned and farmed their own land and later a British volunteer cavalry force, formed in 1761

truck

to barter or exchange with; to have dealings with