vocabulary to night by elie wiesel. vocabulary section one pages 1-27 1."without passion or...

Vocabulary to Night by Elie Wiesel

Vocabulary Section One pages 1-27

1. "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; hurry2. “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. “Physically, he was as awkward as a clown. His waiflike shyness made people smile” (3).Waiflike: Thin4. 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)


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 name6. “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


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; famous9. “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

Vocabulary Section One pages 1-2710. “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 on11. “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


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; awaken14. “The courtyard turned into something like an antechamber to an operating room”(13).Antechamber: a small room leading to a main one


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 system16. “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


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


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; bizarre20.” 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


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 people22. 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 calculate23. “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


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 situations25. “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


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


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 voice30. “Her husband was a pious man who spent most of his days and nights in the house of study”(24). Pious: devoutly religious

Vocabulary Lesson pages 28-55

1. Wretched (pg.28)Miserable; unfortunate2. Throng (pg. 29)A crowd3. Wielding (pg. 29)To use a weapon- handleTo exercise authority4. Interrogating (pg. 30)ask questions of (someone, especially a suspect or a prisoner) closely, aggressively, or formally

Vocabulary Lesson pages 28-555. 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

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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 of14. Inscription (pg. 40)words inscribed, as on a monument or in a book15. Compulsory ( pg. 41)•required by law or a rule; obligatory


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; current18. 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 statement20. Base ( pg. 45)•the lowest part or edge of something, especially the part on which it rests or is supported


21. Ration ( pg. 46) •a fixed amount of a commodity officially allowed to each person during a time of shortage, as in wartime22. 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 26. Emigrate (pg. 51)•leave one's own country in order to settle permanently in another


27. Famished (pg. 52)extremely hungry28. Defiance (pg. 53)open resistance; bold disobedience29. Imprudent (pg. 54)not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash30. Sufficient (pg. 55)enough; adequate


1. 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


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)

Vocabulary Lesson pages 56-8513. 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


21. Sage (pg. 76)•a profoundly wise person; a person famed for wisdom22. Divine (pg. 77)•of or relating to a god, especially the Supreme Being23. Indication (pg. 78)•anything serving to indicate or point out, as a sign or token24. Inflection (pg. 79)•of the voice; change in pitch or tone of voice25. Fables (pg. 80)•a short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters26. 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 action28. Masquerade (pg. 83)•false outward show; façade; pretense29. Knell (pg. 84)•the sound made by a bell rung slowly, especially for a death or a funeral30. Faltering (pg. 85)•to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way


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


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, etc17. Undernourished (pg. 102)•not nourished with sufficient or proper food to maintain or promote health or normal growth18. Lament (pg. 103)•to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret19. Crematorium (pg. 104)•a building in which corpses are cremated20. Protruded (pg. 105)•to thrust forward; cause to project


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 excuse26. Roll Call (pg. 111)•the calling of a list of names, as of soldiers or students, for checking attendance27. Recesses (pg. 112)•temporary withdrawal or cessation from the usual work or activity28. Idleness (pg. 113)•not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing29. Liquidation (pg. 114)•the state of a business firm, etc, having its affairs so terminated30. Provisions (pg. 115)•the providing or supplying of something, especially of food or other necessities

vocabulary to night by elie wiesel. vocabulary section one pages 1-27 1."without passion or...

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