Vocabulary Chapter One The scarlet letter Vocabulary Chapter One

Austere adjective strict Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance, plain

Prudish adjective priggish A propensity to be shocked about anything relating to nudity or sex

Ignominious adjective mortifying Extreme public embarrassment or shame

Ostracized adjective shunned Excluded from a group or society

Propensity noun proclivity A tendency to behave in a certain way

Rankle verb fester To continue to irritate or cause pain, not necessarily severe

Virtue noun integrity Showing high moral standards, goodness, righteousness

Sepulchre noun crypt A room, possibly stone, in which bodies lie

Aspect noun characteristic A particular feature of something, including a facial expression

Congenial adjective amiable Pleasant personality, friendly

Inauspicious adjective unpromising Does not indicate success, not much to anticipate

Frailty noun weakness The condition of being weak and delicate