The Crucible – Act I Vocabulary 1-42
1. abominations (noun) loathsome acts; hated deeds or thoughts
God hates abominations in the forest.
i. abominate – (verb) to hate or find loathsome
2. afflicted (adjective) inflicted with grievous physical or mental suffering
3. ascertain (verb) To discover with certainty, as through examination or experimentation; to gain knowledge of
4. augur-(verb)-to predict
5. begrudge (verb) to give with reluctance often because of envy
to envy or resent the pleasure or good fortune of someone
i. begrudgingly (adverb)
6. bemused-(adj) confused
7. calumny-(noun) a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something;
slander; defamation; libel
8. clamor- (noun) A loud outcry; a protest; an uproar
9. conjure (verb) to summon (a spirit by sorcery using magic);
i. conjurer – (noun) one who summons spirits or witches
10. contention (noun) An assertion put forward in argument
11. corroborate (verb) supporting with other evidence; making more certain confirming with proof
12. covenant (noun) bound to a promise or agreement
13. defamation (noun) false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel; calumny; a lie about someone that can ruin their reputation
Example: Kobe Bryant accused of rape.
14. deference (noun) polite, respect; compliance with respect to another person’s wishes;
i. to defer (verb);
ii. deferential (adjective);
iii. deferentially (adverb)
15. demonic (adj) inspired as if by a demon
16. dissemble (verb) to pretend, to disguise, conceal or hide one's real nature, motives, or feelings behind a false appearance--- TO LIE
i. dissembler (noun) – a person who dissembles
Abigail dissembles about what really happened in the forest that night.
17. enthralled (adj) held spellbound; captivated
18. faction (n) a small, organized, dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics
19. gibberish (noun) babble; unintelligible or nonsensical talk or writing
20. inculcation (noun) the act of impressing (something) upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition; instill: inculcating sound principles.
21. iniquity (noun) evil; wickedness; sin
22. juncture (noun) A place where two things are joined
23. ken (noun) knowledge
24. lascivious (adj) lustful; lecherous
25. motif (noun) A recurrent thematic element in an artistic or literary work
26. parochial (adj) narrow in terms of scope or outlook
27. partisan (noun) a person who shows emotional allegiance
28. perjury (noun) false testimony under oath
example: Barry Bonds committed perjury because he lied about using steroids.
29. potent (adj) powerful, mighty, strong
30. predilection (noun) an innate personal preference for something in particular
31. pretense (n) a false appearance or action intended to deceive
32. propriety (noun) conformity to pre-existing customs or standards; appropriateness
33. providence (n) foresight
34. remiss (adj) exhibiting carelessness; negligent
She was remiss in her duties as a teacher when she failed to give back any assignments all year.
35. resurgence (n) renewal; revival, restoration
36. scoff-To mock at or treat with derision.
37. scourge (n) A source of widespread dreadful affliction and devastation such as that caused by pestilence or war. ; A means of inflicting severe suffering, vengeance, or punishment
38. smirched (adjective) soiled or stained
i. smirch /besmirch (verb)
39. sniveling (adjective) whining & complaining;
i. snivel (verb) to whine
ii. sniveler (noun) – one who whines
40. subservient (adj) subordinate/lesser in capacity or function
41. trepidation (n) a state of alarm or dread; apprehension; fear
42vindictive (adjective) revengeful; spiteful; seeking vengeance (vengeful)