English 3 The Crucible Act 4
spite
a desire to hurt, offend, or annoy someone; vindictiveness or malevolence Proctor: Spite only keeps me silent. It is hard to give a lie to dogs. ... You will not use me!
pentitence
a feeling or action that shows regret or sorrow for ones actions; remorse •PROCTOR: Is there no good penitence but it be public?
indictment
a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime; a charge or a complaint ELIZABETH: It is the law, for he could not be condemned a wizard without he answer the indictment, aye or nay
excommunication
a kind of banishment that is handed out by a church; punishment; a taking away of rights When I summoned the congregation for John Parris: Proctor's excommunication, there were hardly people in attendance.
floundering
clumsily struggling or awkward confusion; •DANFORTH: Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till
reprieve
provide temporary or permanent relief from punishment; delay or postpone; pardon •Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part; reprieve or pardon must cast doubt upon the guilt of them that died till now.
conciliatory
something done to get reconcile or to try to make someone feel better and more pacified; making peace or soothing •DANFORTH: conciliatory: You misunderstand, sir; I cannot pardon these when twelve are already hanged for the same crime. It is not just.
belie
to contradict or misrepresent; disguise Hale: I come to counsel Christians they should belie themselves
beguile
to deceive someone in a cunning way or to enchant someone and make him attracted to you; trick or charm •DANFORTH: Now hear me, and beguile yourselves no more.
faltering
to show hesitancy; to waver or show uncertainty (as with a decision) John, if it were not Abigail that you must go to hurt, would you falter now?
