All My Sons Study Guide

Glossary of Terms

ambiguous

doubtful, open to multiple interpretations

cockpit

the space in an airplane where the pilot controls the craft

dast

dare not

exasperated

angry, impatient, annoyed

foreman

man who serves as the leader of a crew of workers

haberdasher

person who sells men's clothes

horoscope

astrological forecast of a person's future, determined by analyzing the configuration of the planets and stars on any particular day in relation to their configuration on the person's birthday

idealism

a vision and pursuit of the best possible world, believing it to be achievable

ignoramus

an ignorant person

liable

responsible; likely

mum's the word

an idiomatic expression for "say nothing about it"

P-40

a single-occupancy aircraft flown in World War II

parole

release of a prisoner during the sentence, on condition of good conduct

peevish

ill-tempered, cranky

penitentiary

jail

solicitude

care or concern for the well-being of another

trellis

archway of latticework on which plants often are grown

unabashed

not embarrassed, poised

yellow

cowardly

Zeppelin

an airship, like a blimp