6# Bi-Weekly Vocab Study

Word #1: ​Lecher

Context you found it in: (copy down the sentence/phrase and cite):
“You - you are a ​lecher​?” (Miller 110).
Crucible, Arthur Miller
Definition and part of speech:
Noun, A man who engages in lechery (indulging in sexual activity)
Your own sentence that uses it:
As she wrung her hands off against her blackened clothes, rain began to beat down on
the small town; the rain was splatting like the pounding of the congregation. She could still hear
the smoke-induced voices shout, “You ​lecher​, off with her head”.
Words with similar Latin/Greek roots (i.e. laudable applaud) and/or synonyms:
Old French: lecheor - one living a life of debauchery, a pleasure seeker

Word #2:​ ​Augur

Context you found it in: (copy down the sentence/phrase and cite):
“Chil-dren, a very ​augur​ bit will now be turned into your souls” (102).
Definition and part of speech:
Noun, an official diviner/soothsayer of Ancient Rome, or a foreteller of omen.
Verb, to foretell omens
Your own sentence that uses it:
Paralyzed with fear, Dominic treaded closer. He needed to find him. Would the ​augur
arrive in time? Dominic traced his palms feeling every indent and wrinkle. He was about to meet
fate, and his hands would determine it.
Words with similar Latin/Greek roots (i.e. laudable applaud) and/or synonyms:
Latin: augur - religious official in ancient Rome who foretold events by interpreting signs
and omens & Old Latin: augos - increase

Word #3: ​Probity

Context you found it in: (copy down the sentence/phrase and cite):
“That is precisely what I am about to consider, sir. What more may you ask of me?
Unless you doubt my ​probity​?” (100).
Definition and part of speech:
Noun, following the highest principles, integrity.
Your own sentence that uses it:
Crouching beside the barrels of wine and sacks of flour, he cried. Although he was
impulsive and short-tempered, his charisma became stones of ​probity​. He wouldn’t steal ever
again.
Words with similar Latin/Greek roots (i.e. laudable applaud) and/or synonyms:
From Latin: probitatem - uprightness & honesty & probus - worthy & good
Word #4:​ ​affidavit
Context you found it in: (copy down the sentence/phrase and cite):
“Then let him submit his evidence in a proper ​affidavit​. You are certainly aware of our
procedure here, Mr. Hale. To Herrick: Clear this room” (86).
Definition and part of speech:
Noun, a sworn statement under an oath, testimony
Your own sentence that uses it:
During the trial, Merida gave an ​affidavit​ to testify against Mr. Smith.
Words with similar Latin/Greek roots (i.e. laudable applaud) and/or synonyms:
Medieval Latin: affidavit -stated an oath & affidare - to trust; to make an oath

Word #5: ​slovenly

Context you found it in: (copy down the sentence/phrase and cite):
“Were she ​slovenly​? Lazy? What disturbance did she cause?” (112).
Definition and part of speech:
Adjective, Untidy in appearance, sloppy, unkempt
Your own sentence that uses it:
The Cat pranced around ​slovenly​ and returned to the pile of unkempt clothes, and
smelly blankets.
Words with similar Latin/Greek roots (i.e. laudable applaud) and/or synonyms:
1510s: sloven - untidy, shabby + -ly - having qualities of

Word #6:​ ​Gulling

Context you found it in: (copy down the sentence/phrase and cite):
“I - have no power. Girls: I have no power. Proctor: They​’re ​gulling​ you, Mister!” (116).
Definition and part of speech:
Verb, to take advantage of someone foolish, deceive
Noun, a person who is easily deceived
Your own sentence that uses it:
He chuckled with contempt. One day he was a sweet, unwitty child, then next he was a
gulling​ egotistical teen.
Words with similar Latin/Greek roots (i.e. laudable applaud) and/or synonyms:
1540s: gull - to swallow, gullet/throat
Word #7: ​Gibbet
Context you found it in: (copy down the sentence/phrase and cite):
“Let Rebecca stand upon the ​gibbet​ and send up some righteous prayer, and I fear she​’ll
wake a vengeance on” (127).
Definition and part of speech:
Noun, Gallows, An upright post with an arm for hanging bodies of criminals
Your own sentence that uses it:
She stood staring up at the ​gibbet​ holding white streaks of bones, rotting flesh, and
faces with the eye sockets and defiled skin.
Words with similar Latin/Greek roots (i.e. laudable applaud) and/or synonyms:
1590s: gibbet - to kill by hanging, expose ridicule