ARaisinintheSun_NG
4/8/06
6:48 AM
Page 10
A Raisin in the Sun
Before We Start
Handout 3
Name
Date
Hour
Vocabulary Definition List
The following list provides definitions for some of the more difficult words in the text.
Act I, Scene One
pretenses:
rousing:
stupor:
vain:
exasperated:
mechanically:
vindicated:
defiance:
proposition:
graft:
permeated:
doggedly:
ledger:
furtively:
raucous:
false appearances or reasons
vigorous; intense
a daze; mental unawareness
futile; failing to achieve the
desired result
annoyed; irritated; fed up
acting like a machine
justified; proven right
resistance
proposal or plan
the illegal or unfair acquisition of money
spread through; diffused
stubbornly
a book used to record accounts and transactions
done secretly
harsh sounding; loud
Act I, Scene Two
bastion:
indignantly:
forlornly:
suppress:
quizzical:
assimilationist:
recitation:
evading:
raptly:
beseechingly:
strong, secure stronghold
righteously angry
done sorrowfully, usually due to being abandoned
to keep secret
puzzled; confused
advocate of blending in with the culture
reciting a memorized speech
escaping; eluding
in a deeply engaged manner
in a begging or pleading manner
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© 2006. Teacher’s Discovery®
ARaisinintheSun_NG
4/8/06
6:48 AM
Page 11
A Raisin in the Sun
Vocabulary Definition List
Before We Start
Handout 3, continued
Act II, Scene One
promenades:
dumbfounded:
intently:
eccentric:
submerge:
primly:
scrutinizing:
Prometheus:
plaintively:
resignation:
emerge:
menacingly:
imploring:
incredulity:
slowly walks in measured steps as if on display
confused and surprised briefly
with careful attention
odd; different from the norm
to put under or plunge into water; figuratively, to hide or cover
something
excessively proper
examining in detail
mythical figure who stole fire from the gods for humans
sorrowfully
acceptance of the inevitable or unavoidable
to come out from
in a threatening way
begging; pleading
doubt; disbelief
Act II, Scene Two
rebuffs:
deceptive:
catastrophe:
undaunted:
nonplussed:
revelation:
refuses
deceitful; dishonest
tragedy; large-scale disaster
not discouraged
confused; stymied
disclosure or realization that reveals previously hidden information
Act II, Scene Three
strident:
exuberant:
pantomimes:
enunciating:
labored:
deplore:
gall:
facetiousness:
loud; irritating; high-pitched
high level of joy
silent communication using hands and facial expressions
stating clearly and distinctly
worked at a task
despise; have utter disgust for
nerve; insolence
joking or jesting, often inappropriate
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© 2006. Teacher’s Discovery®
ARaisinintheSun_NG
4/8/06
6:48 AM
Page 12
A Raisin in the Sun
Vocabulary Definition List
Before We Start
Handout 3, continued
ludicrous:
agitation:
amusing or laughable through obvious absurdity
emotional disturbance
Act III
lingers:
ails:
plunder:
mirage:
exceptional:
retrogression:
outmoded:
flippancy:
monologue:
epitaph:
reverie:
briskly:
precariously:
waits around; moves slowly
pains or makes ill
steal; take forcefully
optical illusion; something you see that isn’t there
above the ordinary
movement backward; going from a better to worse state
out of style
casualness; without seriousness
long speech by an individual
sentence or phrase that summarizes a person’s life or character
dream-like state
quickly; speedily
placed dangerously
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© 2006. Teacher’s Discovery®