Death of a Salesman — Vocabulary
Arthur Miller
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Exemplary sample Uses Broad Use
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indignantindignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
"I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more
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[Indignantly] You can't see nothing out here!3 more
indignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust
Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
5 top 2000
providenceluck; or God's plan
On the eve of battle, he prayed that providence was in our favor.more
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WILLY: Well, I got on the road, and I went north to Providence.†4 more
resulting from God's intervention or plan; or lucky
Show general definition for providence (as in: divine providence) resulting from God's intervention or plan; or lucky -- especially with regard to when something happened
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agitateagitate → agitating:stirring up emotions to increase unrest
We are agitating public unrest, so there will be a cry for change.more
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BIFF [with rising agitation]:1 more
agitate → agitation:anxiety or upset
Show general definition to stir up or shake -- emotionally (as when people are angered or upset) or physically (as when a washing machine cleans clothes)
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earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner
I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more
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He is younger than BIFF, earnest and loyal, a worried boy.1 more
sincere or excessively serious
Show general definition characterized by sincere belief

or:

intensely or excessively serious or determined
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initiativewillingness to act independently
She is smart, dedicated and has initiative. I expect to see her promoted soon.more
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Coach'll probably congratulate you on your initiative!1 more
determining what should be done and doing it without instruction
Show general definition the ability and tendency to determine what should be done and to start doing it without instruction

or:

to start something
The exact meaning of starting something depends upon the context. For example:
  • "She did it on her own initiative." -- started it without anyone telling her to
  • "She seized the initiative." -- started actions that force others to react to her rather than her having to react to them
  • "the peace initiative" -- a plan or the start of actions to bring about something
  • "a ballot initiative" -- a proposed law that is started by citizen petition rather than by the legislature (applicable in many jurisdictions such as California)
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contradictdisagree with
Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more
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Why am I always being contradicted?†
contradict → contradicted:disagreed
Show general definition disagree
in various senses, including:
  • to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony."
  • to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
  • to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
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yieldgive in
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more
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BEN [yielding]: That's a point, William.
yield → yielding:giving in
Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
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candidhonest and direct
Don't worry about my feelings. I'd like your candid opinion.more
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Willy, do you want to talk candidly?
candid → candidly:with honesty and directness
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mortgageproperty loan
We are the proud owners of a new home and a $100,000 mortgage.more
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But that includes the last payment on the mortgage.1 more
real estate loan
Show general definition a real estate loan; or to offer real estate as collateral for a loan

(collateral is something that has to be given to the lender if the loan isn't paid as agreed)
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accommodateaccommodate → accommodates:adjusts for (different needs)
She accommodates different learning styles.more
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You're too accommodating, dear.
accommodate → accommodating:helpful
Show general definition for accommodate (as in: moved to accommodate her) adjust something to provide for a need; or help
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resolvedetermination (firmness of purpose)
She never waivered in her resolve to attend a good college.more
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WILLY [with pity and resolve]: I'll see him in the morning; I'll have a nice talk with him. I'll get him a job selling.
firmness of purpose
Show general definition for resolve (as in: Her resolve weakened.) firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
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revolutiondramatic change
Social media created a revolution in how people connect.more
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And then Boston—Boston is the cradle of the Revolution.
the American war for independence from Great Britain
Show general definition for revolution (as in: the computer revolution) dramatic change -- sometimes violent overthrow of a government
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ominousthreatening
I'm beginning to hear ominous rumblings of discontent.more
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She rises ominously and quietly and moves toward HAPPY, who backs up into the kitchen, afraid.
ominous → ominously:threatening or suggestive of evil or bad things to come
Show general definition threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
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incredulousdifficult to believe
I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more
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[Incredulously] Don't you realize what today is?
incredulous → incredulously:with disbelief
Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
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trepidationnervousness
She began her first day at the new school with some trepidation.more
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LINDA [hearing WILLY outside the bedroom, calls with some trepidation]:1 more
Show general definition nervousness (fear or anxiety about what will happen)
2
anemiaa deficiency of red blood cells -- resulting in fatigue
She takes iron supplements to prevent anemia.more
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What're you lookin' so anemic about, Bernard?1 more
anemia → anemic:worn out (lacking vitality)
Show general definition a deficiency of red blood cells or where red blood cells are deficient in hemoglobin -- resulting in fatigue

or (less commonly):

suffering from a lack of energy
2
regenttemporary ruler
The King was captured, so his son served as Regent in his absence.more
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He's got Regents next week.†1 more
regent → regents:someone appointed to a position of temporary or delegated authority
Show general definition someone appointed to a position of temporary or delegated authority -- such as a temporarily while the king or queen is too young, too sick, or away; or a member of a governing board
2
correspondencedone from afar via written communication
She took a correspondence course while she was in prison.more
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After high school he took so many correspondence courses.1 more
done from afar (by mailing letters, reports, etc.)
Show general definition for correspondence (as in: a correspondence course) done from afar
Show editor's word notes For example, a corresponding member or a correspondence course.

This sense of corresponding arose because people who lived in distant cities and could not be present for meetings, could communicate by sending written communications.
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feasiblepossible or practical
Her plan sounds feasible.more
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I got a feasible idea.†
Show general definition possible or practical
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somberlacking brightness or color
She wore a somber black dress to the funeral.more
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CHARLEY and BERNARD, somberly dressed, appear and knock on the kitchen door.
somber → somberly:in dark, cheerless colors
Show general definition for somber (as in: somber colors) lacking brightness or color -- perhaps gloomy