Name___________________________________________
ENG 3 A, The Crucible
Terms to Know
For each vocabulary term, please do the following:
1. Identify the correct part(s) of speech
2. Provide a definition
3. List two synonyms and two antonyms
4. Create a context clue sentence
DUE DATE: Tuesday, 10/9
VOCABULARY QUIZ: Tuesday, 10/16
1. Abomination- noun; an action that is vicious or vile; an action that arouses
disgust or abhorrence
The act of transgressing; the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
S: Evildoing, transgression
A: Kindness, pleasantness
His treatment of the children is an abomination
2. Blasphemous – adj; grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
(showing lack of due respect or veneration)
S: Profane; sacrilegious
A: Pious, respectful, reverent
It was blasphemous for Abigail Williams and the other girls to dance in the
woods. Spitting on a cross, drawing pictures in the Qur’an, tripping a rabbi
3. Calamity – noun; an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
Unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
S: bad luck, misfortune, disaster, tragedy
A: advantage, blessing, good fortune
The calamity of war has devastating and far reaching consequences.
The whole city was affected by the tragic calamity.
4. Contentious – adj., given to or characterized by argument. (issues that are
controversial that people tend to argue about) Get people in a fighting mood.
People can be contentious too.
S: argumentative; combative; quarrelsome
A: agreeable, friendly, amicable
Abortion, the death penalty, and gun control are contentious issues.
5. Diabolical – adj., showing the cunning or ingenuity of wickedness typical of a
devil (morally bad or wrong) a strong word, diabolical things are intentional.
S: devilish, evil
A: good, moral, angelic
The diabolical expression on the serial killer’s face sent the young girl
running for her life. Getting hit by lightning is not diabolical. If someone
deliberately runs you over with a car, that’s diabolical.
6. Dogmatic – adj., characterized by assertion of unproved or unprovable
principles (lacking tolerance or flexibility or breadth of view)
S: narrow-minded, intolerant, dictatorial
A: Flexible, doubting
The dogmatic Puritans refused to accept anyone else’s point of view when it
came to how to worship God.
7. Heretic – noun, a person whose religious beliefs conflict with church dogma
S: misbeliever, religious outcast; someone rejected from society
A: believer, adherent
John Proctor was deemed a heretic by his community following Mary
Warren’s accusations against him.
8. Indictment – noun; an accusation of wrongdoing (formally brought against a
person; the act of imputing blame or guilt)
S: Accusation, charge, allegation
A: Absolution, acquittal, exoneration
The indictment against John Proctor left the man incredulous and doubting
the morality of his community.
9. Ingratiate – verb, to gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
to influence skillfully usually to one’s advantage – form of manipulation
S: charm, flatter, seek favor
A: disgust, repel, deter
Johnny ingratiated himself to his teacher by answering every question,
staying after class to clean the whiteboard, and bringing her an apple every
day.
10. Licentious – adj., lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained
S: unchaste, lustful, lecherous, promiscuous, wanton, immoral, uncontrolled
A: chaste, controlled, good, innocent, moral
Abigail and John’s licentious behavior caused great suffering in their
community.
11. Malign – verb; speak unfavorably about; attack the good name and
reputation of someone
S: slander, denigrate, sully
A: to defend, to protect
My ex-girlfriend maligned my reputation when she told the whole school I
have bad breath and head lice.
12. Partisan – noun; a fervent and even militant proponent of something
Prejudicial towards a particular point of view; Partisan politics in the US –
since politicians seem to be so devoted to the Republican or Democratic
parties; a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
S: zealot
A: nonpartisan
13. Penitence – noun; remorse for your past conduct
S: shame, sorrow, regret
A: shamelessness, defiance, happiness
Proctor’s penitence did not soften Elizabeth – she continued to punish him
for his affair with Elizabeth.
14. Pious – adj; someone who is deeply religious and visibly follows all the moral
and ethical codes of his religion
S: Godly, virtuous, sanctimonious, self-righteous
A: Impious, immoral
Don’t become a priest unless you’re prepared to live a pious life.
15. Prodigious – adj., so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
S: Colossal, stupendous, large
A: little, small, tiny
A prodigious storm
16. Providence – noun, the guardianship and care provided by a deity or god.
S: care, guardianship, divine superintendence
Religious people thank their god for his providence.
17. Reprieve – verb, to relieve temporarily
S: Postpone, defer
A: hasten, hurry, advance, expedite
The judge granted the convicted criminal a reprieve – more time was needed
before a proper punishment could be decided upon.
18. Sublime – adj. of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style;
worthy of adoration or reverence
S: elevated; exalted; grand; sacred, divine, holy
A: lowly, poor, second-rate
The piece of music was a work of sublime beauty.
19. Theocracy – noun; a political unit governed by a deity (or by officials thought
to be divinely guided); when religious doctrine is the law of the land – priests
are in charge and say they are speaking for God
S: Church-state; hierocracy
A: Secular government
The community of Salem is a theocracy – Parris, the Reverend, is in charge.
20. Vindictive – adj; disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
S: revengeful; vengeful; unforgiving; implacable; merciless
A: forgiving; helpful; kind; nice