1. Vocabulary to Night by Elie Wiesel

2. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
"Without passion or haste, they shot their prisoners, who were forced to approach the trench one by one and offer their necks. Infants were tossed into the air and used as targets for the machine guns" (Wiesel 6).
Haste: excessive speed or urgency of movement or action; hurry
“There are a thousand and one gates allowing entry into the orchard of mystical truth. Every human being has his own gate. He must not err and wish to enter the orchard through a gate other than his own. That would present a danger not only for the one entering but also for those who are already inside” (Wiesel 5).
Mystical: of or relating to mystics or religious mysticism

3. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
3. “Physically, he was as awkward as a clown. His waiflike shyness made people smile” (3).
Waiflike: Thin
4. Maimonides tells us that one must be thirty before venturing into the world of mysticism, a world fraught with peril. First you must study the basic subjects, those you are able to comprehend” (4).
Fraught: (of a situation or course of action) filled with or destined to result in (something undesirable)

4. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
5. “They called him Moishe the Beadle, as if his entire life he had never had a surname”(1).
Surname: a hereditary name common to all members of a family, as distinct from a given name
6. “As for Moishe, he wept and pleaded and kept shouting in synagogue, between the prayer at dusk and the evening prayer” (7).
Dusk: the darker stage of twilight
7. "The Red Army is advancing with giant strides...Hitler will not be able to harm us, even if he wants to..." ( 8).
Strides: walk with long, decisive steps in a specified direction

5. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
8. “Some prominent members of the community came to consult with my father, who had connections at the upper levels of the Hungarian police” (11).
Prominent: important; famous
“German soldiers-with their steel helmets and their death’s-head emblem. Still, our first impression of the Germans were rather reassuring” (9).
Emblem: a heraldic device or symbolic object as a distinctive badge of a nation, organization, or family

6. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
10. “The same day, the Hungarian police burst into every Jewish home in town: a Jew was henceforth forbidden to own gold, jewelry, or any valuables”(10). Henceforth: from this time on or from that time on 11. “Some twenty people had gathered in our courtyard. My father was sharing some anecdotes and holding forth on his opinion of the situation”(12). Anecdotes: a short and amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person

7. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
12. “Afterward everything would be as before. The ghetto was ruled by neither German nor Jew; it was ruled by delusion” (12). Delusion: an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument, typically a symptom of mental disorder. 13. “The shadows around me roused themselves as if from a deep sleep and left silently in every direction” (14). Roused: bring out of sleep; awaken 14. “The courtyard turned into something like an antechamber to an operating room”(13). Antechamber: a small room leading to a main one

8. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
15. “A Jewish Council was appointed, as well as a Jewish police force, a welfare agency, a labor committee, a health agency- a whole governmental apparatus”(12). Apparatus: a complex structure within an organization or system 16. “They were thoroughly search to make sure they were not carrying away gold, silver, or any other valuables. There had been incidents of hysteria and harsh blows”(18). Hysteria: exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement, especially among a group of people

9. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
17. “My father was running right and left, exhausted, consoling friends, checking with the Jewish Council just in case the order had been rescinded”(15). Rescinded: revoke, cancel, or repeal (a law, order, or agreement) 18. The Hungarian police used their rifle butts, their clubs to indiscriminately strike old men and women, children and cripples”( 16). Indiscriminately: not marked by careful distinction

10. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
19. “His very presence was enough to make the scene seem surreal. It was like a page torn form a book”(17). Surreal: having the qualities of surrealism; bizarre 20.” H expected me to burst out laughing and tell him to go back to bed. To dream. That nothing had happened. It was all in jest…”(15). Jest: a thing said or done for amusement; a joke

11. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
21. “That was when I began to hate them, and my hatred remains our only link today. They were our first oppressors. They were the first faces of hell and death”(19). Oppressors: a person or group that oppresses people 22. Oh God, Master of the Universe, in your infinite compassion, have mercy on us” (20). Infinite: limitless or endless in space, extent, or size; impossible to measure or calculate 23. “The stars were but sparks of the immense conflagration that was consuming us” Conflagration: an extensive fire that destroys a great deal of land or property

12. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
24. As far as I’m concerned, this whole business of deportation is nothing but a big farce. Don’t laugh”(21). Farce: a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations 25. “The next morning, we walked toward the station, where a convoy of cattle cars was waiting” (22). Convoy: a group of ships or vehicles traveling together, typically accompanied by armed troops, warships, or other vehicles for protection

13. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
26. We were still trembling, and with every screech of the wheels, we felt the abyss opening beneath us. Unable to still our anguish, we tried to reassure each other”(25). Abyss: a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm 27.” There was still some food left. But we never ate enough to satisfy our hunger. Our principle was to economize, to save for tomorrow”(23). Economize: spend less; reduce one's expenses

14. Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27
28. “Mrs. Schachter remained huddled in her corner, mute, untouched by the optimism around her”(27). Optimism: hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something 29. She received several blows to the head, blows that could have been lethal. Her son was clinging desperately to her, not uttering a word. He was no longer crying”(26). Uttering: make (a sound) with one's voice 30. “Her husband was a pious man who spent most of his days and nights in the house of study”(24). Pious: devoutly religious

15. Vocabulary Lesson pages 28-55
Wretched (pg.28)
Miserable; unfortunate
2. Throng (pg. 29)
A crowd
3. Wielding (pg. 29)
To use a weapon- handle
To exercise authority
4. Interrogating (pg. 30)
ask questions of (someone, especially a suspect or a prisoner) closely, aggressively, or formally

16. Vocabulary Lesson pages 28-55
5. Crossroads (pg. 31)
an intersection of two or more roads.
a point at which a crucial decision must be made that will have far-reaching consequences.
6. Elude (pg. 32)
evade or escape from (a danger, enemy, or pursuer), typically in a skillful or cunning way.
"he managed to elude his pursuers by escaping into an alley"
synonyms: evade, avoid, get away from, dodge, escape from, run from, run away from; More
lose, shake off, give the slip to, slip away from, throw off the scent;
informal slip through someone's fingers, slip through the net
"Holbrook eluded the police for several weeks"
(of an idea or fact) fail to be grasped or remembered by (someone).
7. Infernal (pg. 33)
• of, relating to, or characteristic of hell or the underworld.
8. Nocturnal (pg. 34)
• done, occurring, or active at night.
9. Acquaintances (pg. 35)
• a person one knows slightly, but who is not a close friend.
10. Lucidity (pg. 36)
• clear and easy to understand

17. Vocabulary Lesson pages 28-55
11. Notion (pg. 37) • a conception of or belief about something. 12. Improvised (pg. 38) •done or made using whatever is available; makeshift. 13. Ascertain (pg. 39) •find (something) out for certain; make sure of 14. Inscription (pg. 40) words inscribed, as on a monument or in a book 15. Compulsory ( pg. 41) •required by law or a rule; obligatory

18. Vocabulary Lesson pages 28-55
16. Camaraderie ( pg. 41) •mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together. 17. Prevailing ( pg. 42) •existing at a particular time; current 18. Communal (pg. 43) •shared by all members of a community; for common use. 19. Veritable (pg. 44) used as an intensifier, often to qualify a metaphor-true as a statement 20. Base ( pg. 45) •the lowest part or edge of something, especially the part on which it rests or is supported

19. Vocabulary Lesson pages 28-55
21. Ration ( pg. 46) •a fixed amount of a commodity officially allowed to each person during a time of shortage, as in wartime
22. Incorporated (pg. 47)
•(of a company or other organization) formed into a legal corporation
23. Altruistic (pg. 48)
•showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish
24. Cynical (pg. 49)
• believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity
25. Evoking (pg. 50)
•bring or recall to the conscious mind
Emigrate (pg. 51)
•leave one's own country in order to settle permanently in another

20. Vocabulary Lesson pages 28-55
27. Famished (pg. 52) extremely hungry 28. Defiance (pg. 53) open resistance; bold disobedience 29. Imprudent (pg. 54) not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash 30. Sufficient (pg. 55) enough; adequate

21. Vocabulary Lesson pages 56-85
Latrines (pg. 56)
•a toilet or outhouse, especially a communal one in a camp or barracks
2. Doused ( pg. 58)
•pour a liquid over; drench
3. Cauldrons (pg. 59)
•a large metal pot with a lid and handle, used for cooking over an open fire
4. Dissipated (pg. 60)
•(of a person or way of life) overindulging in sensual pleasures
5. Solemn (pg. 61)
•characterized by deep sincerity
6. Latter (pg. 62)
•situated or occurring nearer to the end of something than to the beginning

22. Vocabulary Lesson pages 56-85
7. Extinguished (pg. 63)
•cause (a fire or light) to cease to burn or shine
8. Vain (pg. 64)
•having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth
9. Lingering (pg. 65)
•lasting for a long time or slow to end
10. Anguish (pg. 66)
severe mental or physical pain or suffering
11. Benediction (pg.67)
•the utterance or bestowing of a blessing, especially at the end of a religious service
12. Grieved (pg. 68)
•cause great distress to (someone)

23. Vocabulary Lesson pages 56-85
13. Symbol (pg. 69)
•a thing that represents or stands for something else, especially a material object representing something abstract
14. Slabs (pg. 70)
•a large, thick, flat piece of stone, concrete, or wood, typically rectangular
15.Notorious (pg. 71)
•famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed
16. Notables (pg. 72)
•a famous or important person
17. Emaciated (pg. 73)
•abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food
18. Reassure (pg. 74)
•say or do something to remove the doubts and fears of someone
19. Crucible (pg. 74)
•a place or occasion of severe test or trial
20. Verge (pg. 75)
•an edge or border

24. Vocabulary Lesson pages 56-85
21. Sage (pg. 76) •a profoundly wise person; a person famed for wisdom 22. Divine (pg. 77) •of or relating to a god, especially the Supreme Being 23. Indication (pg. 78) •anything serving to indicate or point out, as a sign or token 24. Inflection (pg. 79) •of the voice; change in pitch or tone of voice 25. Fables (pg. 80) •a short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters 26. Swoop (pg. 81) •to come down upon something in a sudden, swift attack (often followed by down and on or upon) 27. Accompany (pg. 82) •to go along or in company with; join in action 28. Masquerade (pg. 83) •false outward show; façade; pretense 29. Knell (pg. 84) •the sound made by a bell rung slowly, especially for a death or a funeral 30. Faltering (pg. 85) •to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way

25. Vocabulary Lesson pages 86-115
1. Enveloped (pg. 86)
•to surround entirely
2. Conscious (pg. 87)
•aware of oneself; self-conscious
3. Gaping (pg. 88)
•to stare with open mouth, as in wonder
4. Plaintive (pg. 89)
•expressing sorrow or melancholy; mournful
5. Bewildered (pg. 90)
•completely puzzled or confused; perplexed
6. Diminish (pg. 91)
•to make or cause to seem smaller, less, less important, etc.; lessen; reduce
7. Apathy (pg. 92)
•absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement
8. Disengage (pg. 93)
•to release from attachment or connection; loosen; unfasten
9. Smothering (pg. 94)
•to stifle or suffocate, as by smoke or other means of preventing free breathing
10. Poignant (pg. 95)
•keenly distressing to the feelings

26. Vocabulary Lesson pages 86-115
11. Quenching (pg. 96)
•to slake, satisfy, or allay (thirst, desires, passion, etc.
12. Liberating (pg. 97)
•to set free, as from imprisonment or bondage
13. Laden (pg. 98)
•burdened; loaded down
14. Inert (pg. 99)
•inactive or sluggish by habit or nature
15. Dregs (pg. 100)
•Usually, dregs. the least valuable part of anything
16. Grimace (pg. 101)
•a facial expression, often ugly or contorted, that indicates disapproval, pain, etc
17. Undernourished (pg. 102)
•not nourished with sufficient or proper food to maintain or promote health or normal growth
18. Lament (pg. 103)
•to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret
19. Crematorium (pg. 104)
•a building in which corpses are cremated
20. Protruded (pg. 105)
•to thrust forward; cause to project

27. Vocabulary Lesson pages 86-115
21. Tiers (pg. 106)
•one of a series of rows or ranks rising one behind or above another, as of seats in an amphitheater, boxes in a theater, guns in a man-of-war, or oars in an ancient galley
22. Grudgingly (pg. 107)
•displaying or reflecting reluctance or unwillingness
23. Prostrate (pg. 108)
•to reduce to physical weakness or exhaustion
24. Relieve (pg. 109)
•to ease or alleviate (pain, distress, anxiety, need, etc.)
25. Pleaded (pg. 110)
•to allege or urge in defense, justification, or excuse
26. Roll Call (pg. 111)
•the calling of a list of names, as of soldiers or students, for checking attendance
27. Recesses (pg. 112)
•temporary withdrawal or cessation from the usual work or activity
28. Idleness (pg. 113)
•not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing
29. Liquidation (pg. 114)
•the state of a business firm, etc, having its affairs so terminated
30. Provisions (pg. 115)
•the providing or supplying of something, especially of food or other necessities