The Crucible Vocabulary

*Definitions are from Secondary Solutions

abomination

• an object of disgust, shame or dislike

conjured

• invoked unnatural or supernatural forces

contention

• disagreement; a claim made in debate

deference

• respect towards another’s opinion or interests

innate

• a quality or characteristic you are born with; something integral or important

licentious

• sexually immoral; lacking moral or ethical restraint

manifestation

• a sign; an indication of the existence of something

paradox

• a statement or situation which is contradictory

prodigious

• impressive in size or amount

vindictive

• purposely hurtful or hateful

ameliorate

• to improve or make better

avid

• eager for; dedicated to

blasphemy

• disrespect for God or other sacred things

crone

• a derogatory term referring to a woman’s age or appearance

flailing

• hitting or swinging violently

indignant

• annoyance or anger over an unfairness towards someone or something

pallor

• paleness in complexion

poppet

• a ragdoll

vengeance

• punishment in return for a wrongdoing

wily

• clever; deceitful

abundant

• an excess amount

auger

• a hand tool used to make holes

deposition

• a witness’s testimony given under oath

effrontery

• shameless or arrogant behavior

gait

• a way of walking, trotting like a horse

imperceptible

• unable to be perceived; tiny or insignificant

incredulously

• unbelievably

plaintiff

• a person who brings a lawsuit against another

vestry

• a room in a church where sacred objects are kept

wrath

• extreme anger; God’s punishment for sin

agape

• with mouth open in astonishment

beguile

• to charm or deceive

cleave

• to faithfully cling to

disputation

• a verbal disagreement; argument

excommunication

• exclusion from a church or group

gaunt

• excessively thin or withered

gibbet

• a hanging post; gallows

indictment

• a formal accusation before a jury

reprieve

• delay of punishment

sibilance

• a hissing sound