1. The Crucible Vocabulary
Acts I-IV

2. inert
adjective
Having no power of action, motion or resistance; inactive or unable to react
She was lying inert in her bed when her mother tried to wake her for school.

3. somber adjective Gloomily dark; depressing or dismal; serious
The mood at her grandmother’s funeral was somber.

4. theocracy
noun
A form of government in which God is recognized as the supreme civil ruler
The Puritans lived under a theocracy; therefore, worshipping Satan was against the law.

5. faction
noun
A group or clique within a larger group; strife or trouble within a group
There was a faction against Thomas Putnam in Salem.

6. vindictive
adjective
Inclined or likely to get revenge; showing a vengeful spirit
Many vindictive Puritans of Salem used witchcraft accusations to get back at those with whom they had a conflict

7. prodigious
adjective
Extraordinary in size, amount, or extent; wonderful or marvelous; monstrous
The prodigious Rocky Mountains are a well-known natural beauty.

8. iniquity Noun An injustice or wickedness; a violation; sin
Because of her numerous iniquities, she was known as a sinner and thought to be worshipping the devil.

9. anarchy
Noun
A state of society without government or law; lack of obedience to an authority
When her parents were gone, the home was in a complete state of anarchy.

10. As a small group…
Write a paragraph using at least 5 of the words we just learned.

11. Act II

12. scoff Verb To mock or speak badly about; to belittle
When her daughter asked for a new car, the mother scoffed at the idea.

13. conviction Noun A fixed or firm belief
Her convictions allowed her to live an honest life.

14. base Adjective Morally low; immoral; dishonorable
John Proctor asked his wife if she thought he was base for his indiscretions.

15. pious Adjective Showing a reverence for God; extremely religious
Rebecca Nurse was known as a pious woman who went to church and prayed regularly.

16. covet verb To desire wrongfully; to want to wish for eagerly
Thomas Putnam coveted the land of others, so he accused them of witchcraft.

17. evasively adverb Avoiding ; not answering straightforwardly
She evasively answered his difficult questions.

18. calamity noun A great disaster or catastrophe; a misfortune
Many people’s homes were left in ruins after the calamity of Hurricane Sandy.

19. pretense noun Pretending; make believe
The girls in Salem were never punished for excessive pretense

20. Act III

21. scorn noun Disrespect or despisal of something
Religious people expressed their scorn for the Devil.

22. daft adjective Senseless; stupid or foolish; insane or crazy
Elizabeth thought her husband John had gone daft when he cheated

23. contentious adjective Tending to argue; causing conflict or arguments
The relationship between the Putnams and most other people in Salem is contentious because the Putnams always have conflict with others.

24. contempt
noun
Antipathy (not caring); aversion; disrespect; hatred of something
Many people in Salem were arrested on charges of contempt, which is disrespect of the court.

25. solemn adjective Grave or serious as a person in speech, tone, or mood
His manner was solemn at his grandmother’s funeral while he read the elegy.

26. vengeance
noun
Infliction of injury or harm to another; the desire for revenge
The Putnams are famously known for seeking vengeance on many of those in Salem by accusing them of witchcraft.

27. allegiance noun Loyalty or devotion to something or someone
Tituba is pressured into admitting that she has an allegiance to the Devil.

28. denounce
verb
To condemn or disapprove of something publicly; to make a formal accusation against
At the end of act three, Reverend Hale denounces the proceedings and quits the court.

29. Act IV

30. gaunt
adjective
Extremely thin and bony, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture; emaciated
After he had been in jail for months, John Proctor wasn’t eating and became very gaunt.

31. beguile
verb
To influence by trickery or flattery; to mislead, charm, or divert
The judges don’t want to admit they’ve been beguiled by the girls.

32. adamant
adjective
Unyielding in attitude or opinion in spite of urgings; not willing to change
Reverend Hale was adamant about trying to get people to confess to save their lives.

33. indictment noun A formal accusation or charge
Many people in Salem faced false indictments.

34. spite
noun
Malicious (negative) desire to harm, frustrate, or annoy another
John Proctor would not confess out of spite.

35. penitence noun Regret for one’s wrongdoing or sinning
The judges seemed to have no penitence for what they had done and only cared about themselves.

36. incredulous adjective Skeptical or unsure; showing disbelief
The judges were incredulous when it came to hearing testimonies.