The Diary of Anne Frank: Act One

by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett
This dramatic adaptation of the diary of a young Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis won both a Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

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40 words 37314 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. tableau
    any dramatic scene
    The light opens up slowly to reveal a stylized tableau of the Frank family huddled together, their hair wet, their dark coats soaked with rain.
  2. overwhelm
    overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
    Overwhelmed, Edith Frank collapses on a couch.
  3. impression
    an outward appearance
    The unmade beds, the breakfast things on the table all created the impression we’d left in a hurry.
  4. conspicuous
    obvious to the eye or mind
    She looks down the steps where Peter van Daan, a shy, awkward boy of sixteen, wearing a heavy coat with the conspicuous yellow star, waits nervously.
  5. solemnly
    in a serious and dignified manner
    PETER. (Solemnly shaking hands with Mrs. Frank.) Mrs. Frank.
  6. satchel
    luggage consisting of a small case with a flat bottom
    Mr. van Daan carries a satchel and his briefcase.
  7. ration
    a fixed portion that is allotted
    Now I must run and get your ration books.
  8. regulation
    an authoritative rule
    I don’t think we’ll be living exactly according to regulations here.
  9. carillon
    set of bells hung in a bell tower
    The carillon is heard playing the quarter hour before eight.
  10. resent
    feel bitter or indignant about
    You complain I don’t treat you like a grownup, but when I do, you resent it.
  11. hesitant
    unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
    Reluctantly, Anne goes toward Peter’s room, as Mrs. van Daan opens her arms, inviting Mr. Frank to dance. Hesitant at first, he begins waltzing with her.
  12. liable
    likely to be or do something
    I tell you, Mr. Frank, if this war lasts much longer we’re liable to be related.
  13. blare
    make a loud noise
    A squad car comes closer, its siren blaring.
  14. mock
    treat with contempt
    Always making fun of—mocking people—“Quack, quack, quack!”
  15. infuriate
    make extremely angry
    You’re the most infuriating boy I’ve ever met!
  16. seethe
    be in an agitated emotional state
    As he starts toward his room, Anne puts out her foot, tripping him. He picks himself up, stares at her, seething, as Anne laughs.
  17. subjunctive
    a mood that represents an act as contingent or hypothetical
    You might have used the subjunctive here.
  18. courteous
    characterized by politeness and gracious good manners
    Anne, it’s not courteous to ask personal questions.
  19. throng
    a large gathering of people
    I had a throng of admirers who couldn’t keep their eyes off me.
  20. sprawl
    sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
    She lays the coat carefully on the couch, as Anne quickly picks up her diary, sprawls on the floor, writing.
  21. stifle
    smother or suppress
    Anne stifles a laugh.
  22. inconceivable
    totally unlikely
    I don’t know why I’ve taken such a terrible dislike to her, but I can imagine her dying someday, while Papa’s death seems inconceivable to me.
  23. refined
    cultivated and genteel
    Miep says he’s quiet, refined and, by all accounts, an excellent dentist!
  24. modest
    humble in spirit or manner
    You’re much too modest, Miep.
  25. suitable
    worthy of being chosen
    I hope I’ll be a suitable companion.
  26. aback
    by surprise
    He stares at her, taken aback.
  27. tentatively
    in a hesitant manner
    He jumps, taken off guard, then tentatively takes her hand.
  28. muffled
    being or made softer or less loud or clear
    ANNE. (In tears, her voice muffled, hesitant.) Would you ask Father to come in?
  29. liberate
    grant freedom to; free from confinement
    Tonight, after the radio broadcast, Pim asked what was the first thing we wanted to do when we’re liberated.
  30. luxuriate
    enjoy to excess
    A hot bath...in a bathtub. Lying there luxuriating for hours, and then Putti comes in and soaps my back.
  31. crude
    not carefully or expertly made
    A crudely knit scarf, narrow in the center, huge on the ends, falls out.
  32. glare
    look at with a fixed or angry gaze
    He laughs wildly, the others silent, as Peter stands up, glares at him.
  33. agonize
    suffer anguish
    MR. DUSSEL. (An agonized look on his face.) Good God, they’ve gone inside my head! Help! Help!
  34. delicate
    exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing
    Smiling, excited, Mrs. Frank unwraps it, takes out a delicate antique silver music box.
  35. hysterical
    characterized by a state of violent mental agitation
    MRS. VAN DAAN. (Quietly hysterical.) Maybe we can buy them off. Where’s our money, Putti?
  36. falter
    speak haltingly
    Margot and Anne hesitate, then falteringly begin to sing.
  37. linger
    be about
    The members of the Annex linger together, shaking hands, embracing.
  38. menacing
    threatening evil or danger
    I see the eight of us in the Annex as if we were a patch of blue sky threatened by menacing black clouds.
  39. impenetrable
    not admitting of passage into or through
    It looms before us, an impenetrable wall.
  40. implore
    beg or request earnestly and urgently
    I can only cry out and implore, “Open wide. Let us out!”
Created on Tue Apr 30 19:59:08 EDT 2013 (updated Thu Jun 02 17:32:26 EDT 2022)

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