The Crucible
The Crucible Vocabulary List and Definitions
These definitions focus on the meanings that best fit The Crucible by Arthur Miller and the context of the Salem witch trials.
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The Crucible
Crucible — A severe test, trial, or ordeal that reveals a person's character.
Act One
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Word
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Definition
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1. Abomination
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Something considered extremely evil, hateful, or morally wrong.
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2. Conjured
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Summoned or called upon, especially through magic or supernatural means.
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3. Contention
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A disagreement, argument, or dispute.
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4. Deference
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Respectful submission to another person's authority or opinion.
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5. Innate
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Natural; existing from birth rather than being learned.
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6. Licentious
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Lacking moral restraint, especially in sexual behavior.
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7. Manifestation
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A visible sign or expression of something.
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8. Paradox
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A statement or situation that seems contradictory but may contain truth.
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9. Prodigious
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Extraordinary in size, amount, or degree; remarkable.
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10. Vindictive
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Having a strong desire for revenge.
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Act Two
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Word
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Definition
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| --- | --- |
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1. Ameliorate
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To improve a bad situation or make it more bearable.
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2. Avid
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Showing great enthusiasm, eagerness, or interest.
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3. Blasphemy
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Speech or behavior that shows disrespect toward God or sacred beliefs.
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4. Crone
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An old woman, especially one portrayed as unpleasant or ugly.
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5. Flailing
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Waving or swinging one's arms or legs wildly.
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6. Indignant
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Feeling anger or offense because something seems unjust or unfair.
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7. Pallor
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An unusually pale appearance, often caused by fear, illness, or shock.
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8. Poppet
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A small doll, sometimes used in folk magic or witchcraft.
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9. Vengeance
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Punishment or revenge inflicted in response to a perceived wrong.
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10. Wily
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Clever and skilled at deceiving or outsmarting others.
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Act Three
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Word
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Definition
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| --- | --- |
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1. Abundant
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Existing in large quantities; plentiful.
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2. Deposition
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A formal written or spoken statement given under oath for legal proceedings.
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3. Effrontery
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Shameless boldness or disrespectful behavior.
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4. Gait
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A person's manner or style of walking.
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5. Hysteria
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Extreme, uncontrolled emotion or excitement, often spreading through a group.
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6. Imperceptible
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So slight or subtle that it is difficult or impossible to notice.
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7. Incredulously
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In a way that shows disbelief or difficulty accepting something as true.
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8. Plaintiff
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A person who brings a legal case against another person in court.
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9. Vestry
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A room in a church used by clergy and others for meetings or preparation.
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10. Wrath
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Intense anger or fury.
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Act Four
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Word
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Definition
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1. Agape
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With one's mouth wide open, usually because of shock, surprise, or amazement.
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2. Beguile
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To charm, persuade, or deceive someone, often through cleverness.
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3. Cleave
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To cling firmly to or remain faithful to someone or something.
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4. Disputation
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A formal argument or debate about a particular issue.
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5. Excommunication
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The formal exclusion of someone from participation in a religious community.
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6. Gaunt
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Extremely thin and bony, often because of suffering, hunger, or illness.
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7. Gibbet
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A structure used to display the body of an executed person as a warning; historically, it could also refer to a gallows.
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8. Indictment
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A formal accusation that someone has committed a crime.
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9. Reprieve
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A temporary postponement or cancellation of a punishment, especially an execution.
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10. Sibilance
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A hissing sound, especially one made by words containing sounds like s, sh, or z.
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Study tip: Pay particular attention to vindictive, indignant, wily, hysteria, effrontery, deposition, and reprieve. These words connect closely to the accusations, courtroom conflicts, and moral dilemmas in The Crucible.