THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY

WORDS
CHAPTER 5- HESTER AT HER 17) Betokened- to give
NEEDLE evidence of
18) Kindred- a person's relatives
1) Procession- moving along in an collectively; kin
orderly manner. 19) Repugnance- strong
2) Infamy- infamous act or distaste
circumstance 20) Tribunal- a court of justice
3) Vigor- vitality; active strength or 21) Exhortation- urgent advice
force.
4) Ignominy- disgrace
5) Moralist- a person who teachers
morality
6) Inscrutable- not easily
understood; mysterious; incapable CHAPTER 6- PEARL
of being investigated.
7) Galling- chafing; irritating 1) Potent- powerful
8) Contemplation- thoughtful 2) Efficacy- effectiveness
observation 3) Dexterity- cleverness
9) Comparative- proceeding by, 4) Procured- to bring about by indirect
founded on. means
10) Fain- willingly 5) Pomp- splendor, magnificence
11) Thriving- to prosper 6) Amendable- to alter
12) Availed- to be of use; profit 7) Imbibing- to consume by drinking
13) Adornment- embellishment 8) Lustre- luster- glitter, sparkle
14) Progenitors- biologically 9) Epoch- a particular period of time
related ancestor. marked by distinctive features
15) Plebeian- common people 10) Despondency- melancholy, gloom
16) Commiseration- to 11) Compelled- to overpower
sympathize
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS
12) Caprice- a sudden change of one’s 6) Intrinsic- belonging to a thing by its
mind very nature.
13) Inexplicable- not explicable, 7) Imperious- urgent, imperative
incapable of being explained 8) Unpremeditated- unplanned
14) Intangibility- vague, fleeting 9) Similitude- likeness, resemblance.
15) Baffling- to confuse. 10) Wayfarers- a traveler
16) Confiding- to have full trust 11) Pestilence- something harmful, or
17) Conjuration- an incantation evil.
18) Placidity- pleasantly calm 12) Edifice- a building, one of large
19) Anathemas- a person or thing size or imposing appearance.
loathed 13) Cabalistic- mystic; occult.
20) Preternatural- abnormal, out of 14) Folio- a leaf of a manuscript/book.
the ordinary 15) Tome- a book, very heavy, large,
21) Phantasmagoric- a changing learned book.
scene made up of many elements 16) Ponderous- massive
22) Penance- a punishment. 17) Tankard- a large drinking cup with
23) Inauspicious- unfavorable a handle.
18) Relic- a surviving memorial of
something past.
19) Pequot war- war between Mass.
Bay and Plymouth Colonies with
CHAPTER 7- THE GOVERNOR’S HALL Native American allies against the
Pequot.
1) Fringed- an outer edge, margin. 20) Subsistence- providing support
2) Impelled- to urge forward 21) Personage- a person of
3) Ludicrous- ridiculous importance
4) Eminence- high rank, repute; height 22) Eldritch- weird, spooky
5) Pristine- pure, fresh, clean
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS
CHAPTER 8- THE ELF CHILD AND THE
MINISTER
1) Expatiating- to enlarge in discourse
or writing.
2) Unfeignedly- sincere.
3) Behest- a command
4) Venerable- sacred
5) Transgressions- violation of law
6) Benevolence- act of kindness;
charitableness
7) Vanity- egotism, ostentation,
emptiness
8) Plumage- the entire feathery
covering of a bird.
9) Bedizen- to dress in a showy manner
10) Catechism- a book containing the
principles of Christian religion.
11) Clad- dressed; covered.
12) Pious- godly, reverent.
13) Depravity- the state of moral
corruption
14) Requital- a return of kindness
15) Temperament- nature, disposition
16) Emaciated- thin, wasted, puny
17) Mountebank- phony, pretender,
fraud, any charlatan or quack
18) Adduced- to bring forward in
argument or as evidence.
19) Vehemence- eagerness;
enthusiasm
20) Profane- ungodly; temporal;
sacrilegious
21) Lattice- screen, grid.
22) Physiognomy- appearance,
feature, expression.
23) Authentic- real, genuine,
CHAPTER 9- THE LEECH
1) matronly- stately; maturely dignified
2) trodden- trampled
3) pilloried- to ridicule, abuse
4) cordially- courteous and gracious;
invigorating the heart.
5) chirurgical- of relating to surgery
6) deacon- a member of the clerical
order next below that of a priest
7) apothecary- a druggist; a pharmacist
8) acquisition- the act of gaining
possession
9) pharmacopeia- a stock of drugs; a
book containing a list of medicinal
drugs and their uses.
10) infancy- very early childhood.
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS
11) scrupulous- cautious; careful 7) self-abasement- humiliation of
12) parochial- provincial oneself
13) vigils- a devotional watching 8) instinctively- natural; unlearned
during the customary hours of sleep; a 9) armorial- bearing a coat or coats of
period of wakefulness from inability to arms
sleep. 10) tenaciously- stubborn
14) imminent- impending 11) palliate- to relieve without curing;
15) advent- arrival mitigate; alleviate
16) query- an inquiry 12) remorseful- full of remorse
17) stifled- to suppress 13) amplest- plentiful; enough
18) tumult- uproar 14) somniferous- bringing or inducing
19) celibacy- abstention from sexual sleep
relations 15) ecstasy- rapturous delight
20) sagacious- shrewd 16) comport- behave
21) erudition- knowledge acquired by
study
22) refutation- disproof

CHAPTER 10- THE LEECH AND HIS

PATIENT

1) integrity- honesty
2) sexton- a caretaker of a church and
its contents and graveyard
3) inimical- unfriendly; hostile
4) potency- power; authority CHAPTER 11- THE INTERIOR OF A
5) askance- disapproval; mistrust HEART
6) typify- exemplify
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS
1) sufficiently- enough 19) scourge-whip or lash, for the inflic
2) malice- hate, hatred tion of punishment
3) agony- intense physical or or torture.
mental suffering. 20) introspection- the act of looking
4) repentance-deep sorrow, compuncti within oneself.
on 21) impalpable- intangible.
5) adequately-
fully sufficient, suitable, or fit
6) celestial- heavenly
7) perception- cognition; understanding CHAPTER 12- THE MINISTER’S VIGIL
8) gait-
manner of walking, stepping, or runnin 1) somnambulism-
g. a condition that is characterized bywal
9) odious- hateful; detestable. king while asleep or in a hypnotic tran
10) abhorrence- utter loathing ce
11) efficacious- effective as a 2) zenith-
means, measure, remedy, etc. a highest point or state; culmination.
12) attestation- testimony; evidence. 3) dank- damp and, often, chilly-
13) eloquence- 4) rheumatism- any
practice or art of using language with f painful disorder of joints, muscles,
luency and aptness. or connective tissue
14) veneration- reverence 5) inextricable-
15) pulpit- incapable of being disentangled, undo
the clerical profession; the ministry. ne, loosed, or solved
16) Omniscience- infinite knowledge 6) expiation-
17) vile- unpleasant, or objectionable grossly or obscenely abusive
18) abomination- 7) multitudinous- very numerous.
greatly disliked or abhorred 8) reverberations- a reechoed sound.
9) conceits- imagination; fancy.
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS
10) scaffold- any raised framework. 4) irksomeness- annoying; irritating
11) venerable- 5) requital- kindness
extremely old or obsolete; ancient- 6) gibe-
12) transgressor- offend; sin. to utter mocking or scoffing words; jee
13) scantly- r
limited; meager; not large- 7) extremity-
14) anguish- excruciating or acute the extreme or terminal point, limit, or
distress, suffering, or pain- part of something.
15) quaint- 8) imparted- relate; disclose-
strange, peculiar, or unusual in an inte 9) austerity-
resting severity of manner, life, etc.; sternnes
16) commonwealth- s.
a federation of states 10) prejudice-
17) egotism- conceit; boastfulness. any preconceived opinion or feeling, ei
18) firmament- ther favorable or unfavorable.
the vault of heaven; sky. 11) stigmatized-
19) replete- filled to set some mark of disgrace or infam
20) scurrilous- y upon
grossly or obscenely abusive 12) effluence-
the action or process of flowing out; ef
flux.
CHAPTER 13- ANOTHER VIEW OF 13) obviated-
HESTER to anticipate and prevent or eliminate
14) insurmountable-
1) grovelled- passed over, or overcome;
to humble oneself or act in an abject 15) attainment- achievement.
manner, 16) acquiescing- agree; consent
2) prominence- conspicuousness.
3) impeded- obstruct; hinder.
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS

CHAPTER 14- HESTER AND THE

PHYSICIAN

1) accosted- to confront boldly-

2) entreaty- earnest request or petition
3) purport- the appearance of being;
profess or claim, often falsely
4) vigor- active strength or force.
5) derisively- contemptuous; mocking-
6) spake-
to utter words or articulate sounds
7) peradventure-
chance, doubt, or uncertainty.
8) perpetration- to commit-
9) superstition-
a custom or act based on such a belief
. 6) Malignant-
10) propinquity- proximity
11) direst- urgent; desperate
12) bane-
a person or thing that ruins or spoils
CHAPTER 15- HESTER AND PEARL
1) Blighted- to destroy; ruin; frustrate
2) Sere- dry; withered
3) Verdure- flourishing condition; vigor.
4) Sedulous-
persistently or carefully maintained
5) Deleterious- harmful; injurious
very dangerous or harmful in influenc
e.
7) Eventide- evening
8) Nuptial- a wedding or marriage.
9) Betoken- indicate
10) Dexterity- agility; cleverness
11) Purport-
the meaning, import, or sense
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS
12) Incongruity- 4) Flitting- to move lightly and swiftly
something incongruous. 5) Sportive- playful or frolicsome
13) Capricious- erratic 6) Vigor- active strength or force
14) Petulant- 7) Scrofula-
irritable, peevish, pettish, touchy. primary tuberculosis of lymphatic
15) Requital- glands
reward for service, kindness, etc 8) Eddies- a small whirlpool.
16) Precocity- 9) Loquacity- talkativeness; garrulity.
ahead in development, such as the m 10) Solemn- serious or earnest-
ental development of a child 11) Lamentation- act of lamenting
17) Acrid- bitterly pungent or expressing grief.
18) Enigma- a puzzling or 12) Haggard- wild; wild-looking
inexplicable occurrence or 13) Despondency-
situation depression of spirits from lss of
19) Propensity- courage or hope; dejection.
favorable disposition or partiality 14) Bestrew-
20) Vivacity- to strew or scatter about.
liveliness; animation; sprightliness 15) Hillock- a small hill.
21) Talisman- any amulet or charm
22) Asperity- hardship; difficulty; rigor

CHAPTER 16- A FOREST WALK

1) Ulterior- future; further

2) Vainly- conceited
3) Imputed- to attribute or ascribe
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS
CHAPTER 17- THE PASTOR AND HIS
PARISHIONER
1) Tremulously-
timid; timorous; fearful.
2) Devoid- not possessing,
untouched by, void, or destitute
3) Delusion- a false belief or opinion
4) Vilest- wretchedly bad
5) Vehemently-
zealous; ardent; impassioned
6) Contiguity- contact or proximity
7) Misanthropy- hatred
or distrust of humankind.
8) Invigorated- energize.
9) Utterance-
act of uttering; vocal expression.
10) Sanctity-
holiness, saintliness, or godliness.
11) Consecration-
dedication to the service and
worship of a deity
12) Obscure- not clear or plain;
ambiguous, vague, or uncertain
13) Dolefully-
sorrowful; mournful; melancholy
14) Satiating-
to satisfy to the full; sate
15) Subdued-
quiet; repressed; controlled
16) Vestige- very slight trace
or amount of something
17) Venture- Obsolete ; hazard or risk.
CHAPTER 18- A FLOOD OF SUNSHINE
1) Speculation- contemplation or
consideration of some subject
2) Intricate- complex; complicated
3) Colloquy- a conversational exchange;
dialogue.
4) Pillory- a wooden framework erected
on a post, with holes for securing the
head and hands, formerly
used to expose an offender to public
derision.
5) Zeal- eager desire or endeavor
6) Prejudices-
an unfavorable opinion or feeling
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS
formed before hand or without
knowledge, thought, or reason
7) Extenuation- a partial excuse
8) Expiating- to atone for;
make amends or reparation for
9) Citadel- any strongly fortified place;
stronghold.
10) Irrevocably- unalterable
11) Stigma-
a mark of disgrace or infamy
12) Heathen- an irreligious,
uncultured, or uncivilized person
13) Denizens- an inhabitant; resident.
14) Choleric- extremely irritable
or easily angered; irascible
15) Inquisitively- eager for
knowledge; intellectually curious
16) Adorn- to make more pleasing,
attractive, impressive
17) Nymph-
a beautiful or graceful young woman.
CHAPTER 19- THE CHILD AT THE
BROOKSIDE
1) Hieroglyphic-
hard to decipher; hard to read
2) Accosting- to confront boldly
3) Prattle- chatter; babble
4) Picturesque-
strikingly graphic or vivid
5) Tantalizing-
having or exhibiting something
that provokes or arouses expectation,
interest, or desire, esp. that which
remains unobtainable
or beyond one's reach
6) Tremor- shudder, shiver, quiver
7) Sluggish- lacking in energy; lazy
8) Arraying- to
place in proper or desired order
9) Imperious- dictatorial; overbearing
10) Hasten- proceed with haste; hurry
11) Mollified- to soften in feeling or
temper as a person
12) Entreaties- earnest request or
petition; supplication.
13) Gesticulating- to make or use
gestures, esp. in an animated
or excited manner with
or instead of speech
14) Alloy- a less costly metal mixed
with a more valuable one.
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS
CHAPTER 20- THE MINISTER IN A
MAZE
1. Twilight-
the soft, diffused light from the sky
when the sun is below the horizon,
either from
daybreak to sunrise or, more
commonly, from sunset to nightfall.
2. Vicissitude- interchange or
alternation, as of states or things
3. Antiquity-
ancient times; former ages
4. Solace- comfort in sorrow,
misfortune, or trouble
5. Disquietude- uneasiness
6. Concealment-
a means or place of hiding
7. Vocation- a particular occupation,
business, or profession; calling
8. Exemplary-
worthy of imitation; commendable
9. Uncouth-
awkward, clumsy, or unmannerly
10. Obtrusive- protruding; projecting.
11. Incited- stimulate or prompt to action
12. Deacons-
a member of the clerical order
next below that of a priest.
13. Obeisance- a movement of the body
expressing deep respect
before a superior
14. Hoary- ancient or venerable
15. Blasphemous- irreverent
16. Devout- pious; religious
17. Potentate-
a person who possesses great
power, as a sovereign, monarch, or
ruler
18. Stupefied- astound; astonish
19. Eccentricities-
an oddity or peculiarity
20. Recompense- to repay
CHAPTER 21- THE NEW ENGLAND
HOLIDAY
1) Thronged- crowd.
2) Metropolis- any large, busy city
3) Peculiarity-
oddity; singularity; eccentricity
4) Preternaturally- supernatural
5) Inconsistency- incompatibility
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS
6) Quaff- 22) Tempestuous- violent or stormy;
to drink (a beverage) copiously and turbulent
heartily. 23) Relinquish- to give up;
7) Potency- power; authority. to let go; release
8) Apparition- a specter or phantom; 24) Animadversion-
wraith the act of criticizing.
9) Contrive- devise; invent; to plot 25) Galliard-
10) Effervescence- a spirited dance for two dancers in
to issue forth in bubbles. triple rhythm, common in the 16th
11) Infirmity- and 17th centuries.
a physical weakness or ailment. CHAPTER 22- THE PROCESSION
12) Mirthful- joyous; gay; jolly;
amusing 1) Contiguous- touching; in contact.
13) Eminence- 2) Compliance-
high station, rank, or repute cooperation or obedience
14) Minstrel- a medieval 3) Procession-
musician, singer, or poet. the line or body of persons or
15) Jocularity- meant lightly or things moving along in such a
humorously; manner.
16) Subsequent- 4) Clarion- an ancient trumpet with
occurring or coming later or after a curved shape.
17) Desperadoes- a bold, reckless 5) Array-
criminal or outlaw to place in proper or desired order
18) Transgressed- offend; sin 6) Low Countries- the lowland region
19) Aqua-vitae- spirituous liquor, as of W Europe, on the North Sea:
brandy or whiskey. consists of
20) Seafaring- traveling by sea. Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Nether
21) Depredation- robbery; ravage. lands
7) Compeers- peer; colleague.
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS
8) Sobriety- 1) Eloquence- practice or
the state or quality of being sober. art of using language with fluency and
9) Fortitude- resolute endurance aptness.
10) Exhilaration- to make lively and c 2) Oracles-
heerful; the agency or medium giving such
11) Abstracted- lost in thought responses.
12) Eccentricities- 3) Prophecy-
an oddity or peculiarity the foretelling or prediction of what
13) Necromancy- black art is to come
14) Fie- used to express mild disgust, 4) Foreboding- a prediction; portent.
annoyance, etc. 5) Lore-
15) Pathos- learning, knowledge, or erudition
a feeling of sympathy or pity; 6) Clangor-
emotions a loud, resonant sound; clang.
16) Plaintiveness- 7) Tramp- march; trudge.
expressing sorrow or melancholy; 8) Auditors- a hearer; listener.
mournful 9) Reverberating- to reecho or resound
17) Desolate- devastated 10) Zenith-
18) Vivacity- a highest point or state; culmination.
liveliness; animation; sprightliness 11) Etherealized- to make ethereal
19) Indefatigable- untiring (heavenly or celestial).
20) Boorish- 12) Apotheosized- to deify; glorify.
unmannered; crude; insensitive 13) Intimations- hint; imply; suggest.
21) Unscrupulous- conscienceless; 14) Tumult- uproar.
unprincipled. 15) Meridian-
22) Languidly- slack or slow a point or period of highest
CHAPTER 23- THE REVELATION OF development, greatest
THE SCARLET LETTER prosperity, or the like.
16) Repugnance- antipathy.
THE SCARLET LETTER VOCABULARY
WORDS
17) Convulsive- producing who carried the Christian
by convulsion message into the world.
18) Reverences- veneration. 12) Ethereal- light, airy, or tenuous
13) Escutcheon- a shield or shield
like surface on which a coat of arms is
depicted.

CHAPTER 24- CONCLUSION

1) Meditation-
continued or extended thought;
reflection; contemplation.
2) Nugatory- worthless.
3) Fidelity- loyalty
4) Forlorn- lonely and sad; forsaken.
5) Desolate- devastated
6) Antipathy- aversion
7) Recluse-solitary.
8) Armorial-
a book containing heraldic bearings
and devices.
9) Heraldry-
the science of armorial bearings.
10) Prophetess-
a woman who foretells future events.
11) Apostle-
any of the early followers of Jesus