Curriculum text vocabulary

Abomination – something that causes disgust or hatred. Example: “It were a notorious sign of witchcraft, an abomination in the eyes of the Lord.”

Afflicted – affected or troubled by something, such as pain or illness. Example: “The afflicted girls writhed and screamed in supposed torment.”

Allegiance – loyalty or commitment to a cause or group. Example: “He would not break his allegiance to the court for fear of retribution.”

Ameliorate – to make something better or less severe. Example: “Mary Warren sought to ameliorate the tension by bringing news from Salem.”

Apprehension – anxiety or fear that something bad will happen. Example: “There is a general apprehension that the Devil walks among us.”

Augur – to predict or be a sign of a future event. Example: “This strange behaviour does not augur well for the town’s peace.”

Beguiling – charming or enchanting, often in a deceptive way. Example: “Abigail’s beguiling words swayed the court against the innocent.”

Calamity – an event causing great damage or distress. Example: “The accusations brought a calamity upon Salem.”

Conjure – to call upon a spirit or supernatural force. Example: “They accused Tituba of attempting to conjure spirits in the woods.”

Contempt – the feeling that someone is worthless or deserves scorn. Example: “Proctor was held in contempt of the court when he refused to comply.”

Crucible – a severe test or trial. Example: “This trial is a crucible in which the truth must be forged.”

Deference – respectful submission or yielding to another’s authority. Example: “He spoke with deference to Reverend Hale’s judgement.”

Deposition – a formal written statement used as evidence. Example: “Mary Warren’s deposition was presented to the court in defence of Elizabeth.”

Dissembling – concealing one’s true motives, feelings, or beliefs. Example: “Abigail was skilled at dissembling her wicked intent.”

Enraptured – filled with intense delight or joy. Example: “The congregation was enraptured by the preacher’s fiery sermon.”

Faction – a small, organised group within a larger one, often in conflict. Example: “There is a faction sworn to drive Reverend Parris from his pulpit.”

Goody – a title used for married women, short for “Goodwife.” Example: “Goody Proctor was known throughout Salem for her virtue.”

Heathen – a person who does not belong to a widely held religion. Example: “They condemned the forest dances as heathen rituals.”

Hypocrisy – claiming to have moral standards to which one’s own behaviour does not conform. Example: “The hypocrisy of the court became more evident each day.”

Incantation – a series of words used in a magical spell or ritual. Example: “They feared the girls’ dances were accompanied by incantations.”

Incubi – evil male spirits or demons believed to seduce women. Example: “The court spoke of incubi and succubi tormenting the village.”

Iniquity – immoral or grossly unfair behaviour. Example: “Proctor could not bear the iniquity of false accusations.”

Integrity – the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. Example: “Proctor wished to keep his integrity, even if it cost him his life.”

Licentious – disregarding moral rules, especially in sexual conduct. Example: “Parris feared that rumours of licentious behaviour would ruin him.”

Manifestation – an event, action, or object that clearly shows something abstract. Example: “The girls’ screaming was taken as a manifestation of witchcraft.”

Malign – to speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner. Example: “Abigail continued to malign Elizabeth in an effort to ruin her.”

Pallor – an unhealthy pale appearance. Example: “Her pallor betrayed her fear before the court.”

Perjury – the offence of lying under oath. Example: “To accuse him falsely would be an act of perjury against God and law.”

Pious – deeply religious and devout. Example: “Rebecca Nurse was known as a pious and charitable woman.”

Poppet – a small doll, sometimes believed to be used in witchcraft. Example: “They claimed the poppet in Elizabeth’s house was proof of her sorcery.”

Pretense – a false display intended to deceive. Example: “Abigail’s pretense of innocence fooled many in the court.”

Prodigious – remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree. Example: “A prodigious number of names were signed on the petition.”

Puritan – a member of a strict Protestant religious group that sought to purify the Church of England and lived by rigid moral and spiritual codes. Example: “The Puritan leaders of Salem believed they were building a godly community.”

Reckoning – the time when consequences or judgement come. Example: “There will be a reckoning for those who spread these lies.”

Rescind – to revoke or cancel a decision or law. Example: “They begged the court to rescind its unjust rulings.”

Succubi – evil female spirits or demons believed to seduce men. Example: “The afflicted girls shrieked about succubi dancing in the night.”

Theocracy – a system of government in which priests or religious leaders rule in the name of God. Example: “In Salem’s theocracy, to question the court was to question the Church.”

Vindictive – having a strong or unreasonable desire for revenge. Example: “Abigail’s vindictive spirit drove her accusations.”

Yeomanry – farmers or landholders of the lower gentry, often seen as respectable but not elite. Example: “The yeomanry of Salem feared for their good names.”