daft insane; crazy is closer to mad or crazy.
damn to cause the ruin of; make fail.
defamation damaging another individual's character or reputation, generally through false accusations.
deposition the testimony of a witness.
diabolism dealings with the Devil or devils, as by sorcery or witchcraft.
discontent dissatisfaction or restlessness. Here, the verb form is used, meaning to fail to satisfy.
disputation a discussion marked by formal debate, often as an exercise; here, meaning an argument.
dissemble to conceal under a false appearance; disguise.
faction a group of people inside a political party, club, government, and so on, working in a common cause against other such groups or against the main body; here, it refers to those resisting Reverend Parris.
floundering speaking or acting in an awkward, confused manner, with hesitation and frequent mistakes; here, meaning wavering, especially from indecision or doubt.
