"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from Act 3

Learn these 23 words from Act 3 of Arthur Miller’s 1953 "The Crucible" -- a play that dramatized the late 17th century Salem witch trials and served as an allegory of McCarthyism. Here are the links to the word lists for all four acts of “The Crucible”: Act 1, Act 2, Act 3, and Act 4.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. contention
    a point asserted as part of an argument
    Do you know, Mr. Proctor, that the entire contention of the state in these trials is that the voice of Heaven is speaking through the children?
  2. vile
    morally reprehensible
    Parris: Excellency, you surely cannot think to let so vile a lie be spread in open court!
  3. deceive
    cause someone to believe an untruth
    I have until this moment not the slightest reason to suspect that the children may be deceiving me.
  4. deposition
    a pretrial interrogation of a witness
    This is Mary Warren's deposition.
  5. vague
    not clearly understood or expressed
    She swears now that she never saw Satan; nor any spirit, vague or clear, that Satan may have sent to hurt her.
  6. instruct
    impart skills or knowledge to
    Danforth: How were you instructed in your life?
  7. perjury
    criminal offense of making false statements under oath
    Danforth: I will tell you this-- you are either lying now, or you were lying in the court, and in either case you have committed perjury and will go to jail for it.
  8. apparition
    a ghostly appearing figure
    In which she swears that she never saw familiar spirits, apparitions, or any manifest of the Devil.
  9. manifest
    reveal its presence or make an appearance
    In which she swears that she never saw familiar spirits, apparitions, or any manifest of the Devil.
    *"manifest" is being used as a noun here, as in "manifestation."
  10. guile
    shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
    If she speak true, I bid you now drop your guile and confess your pretense, for a quick confession will go easier with you.
  11. agent
    a representative who acts on behalf of others
    Parris: You say you never saw no spirits, Mary, were never threatened or afflicted by any manifest of the Devil or the Devil's agents.
  12. illusion
    something many people believe that is false
    Danforth: Abigail, is it possible that the spirits were illusion only, some deception that may cross your mind.
  13. deception
    a misleading falsehood
    Danforth: Abigail, is it possible that the spirits were illusion only, some deception that may cross your mind.
  14. fancy
    have a particular liking or desire for
    Elizabeth: I came to think he fancied her.
  15. awe
    an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
    But Abigail, pointing in fear, is now raising up her frightened eyes and awed face toward the ceiling.
  16. transfixed
    having your attention fixated as though witchcraft
    She is transfixed with all the girls, she is whispering open-mouthed, agape at the ceiling.
  17. agape
    with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
    She is transfixed with all the girls, she is whispering open-mouthed, agape at the ceiling.
  18. monologue
    a dramatic speech by a single actor
    *Mary Warren interior monologue*
  19. unintelligible
    not clearly understood or expressed
    Mary utters something unintelligible, staring at Abby, who keeps watching the "bird" above.
  20. halt
    stop moving
    Girls halt at the door.
  21. allegiance
    the act of binding yourself to a course of action
    Will you confess yourself befouled with Hell, or do you keep that black allegiance yet?
Created on Tue Oct 30 12:22:45 EDT 2012 (updated Mon Nov 04 09:36:58 EST 2013)

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