SAT vocab lists 4-6

altruistic (adj.)

Showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others. 利他的，利他主义的

austere (adj.)

Severe, strict, or plain in appearance/manner. 朴素的，严厉的

avuncular (adj.)

Kind, friendly, or supportive, like a good uncle. 叔的，伯的，舅的

capricious (adj.)

Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior. 反复无常的，多变的

conspicuous (adj.)

Standing out so as to be clearly visible; attracting attention. 明显的，引人注意的

counterproductive (adj.)

Having the opposite of the desired effect. 反作用的，反效果的

demonstrative (adj.)

Serving to show, prove, or express feelings openly. 论证的，说明的

dictum (n.)

A formal or authoritative statement. 声明，警句

elliptical (adj.)

Obscure or ambiguous in expression; oval-shaped. 省略的，椭圆的

ephemeral (adj.)

Lasting for a very short time. 短暂的，朝生暮死的

finesse (n.)

Intricate and refined skill or diplomacy. 技巧，手段

flippant (adj.)

Not showing a serious or respectful attitude. 轻浮的，无礼的

hackneyed (adj.)

Lacking significance through having been overused; trite. 陈腐的，老套的

iconoclast (n.)

A person who attacks cherished beliefs or traditional institutions. 偶像破坏者，打破旧习者

implacable (adj.)

Unable to be appeased, calmed, or stopped. 不能和解的，不能平息的

inane (adj.)

Silly, stupid, or lacking sense/meaning. 空洞的，无意义的

insular (adj.)

Ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience. 孤立的，思想狭隘的

latent (adj.)

Existing but not yet developed, manifest, or active. 潜在的，潜伏的

levy (n.)

The imposition or collection of an assessment, tax, or fine. 征收，征税

malfeasance (n.)

Wrongdoing, especially by a public official. 渎职，违法行为

mercurial (adj.)

Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind. 脾气多变的，水银的

militant (adj.)

Combative and aggressive in support of a political or social cause. 好战的，富有侵略性的

overwrought (adj.)

Deeply agitated, nervous, or overly elaborate. 过度紧张的，过分劳累的

paucity (n.)

The presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities. 极少量，缺乏

prescriptive (adj.)

Relating to the enforcement of a rule or method. 规定的，约定俗成的

repertory (n.)

A stock or collection of plays, dances, or items that a company or person is prepared to perform. 全部剧目，仓库

supercilious (adj.)

Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others. 高傲的，自大的

superlative (adj.)

Of the highest quality or degree. 最高的，最好的

supplant (v.)

To supersede and replace. 代替，排挤掉

transitory (adj.)

Not permanent; temporary. 短暂的，短时间内的

trenchant (adj.)

Vigorous, incisive, or sharp in expression or style. 敏锐的，尖锐的

truncate (v.)

To shorten something by cutting off the top or the end. 截去，缩短

ungainly (adj.)

Awkward or clumsy in movement or posture. 难看的，不优雅的

verdict (n.)

A decision or judgment reached in a court or matter. 裁决，结论

visionary (adj.)

Thinking about or planning the future with wisdom or imagination; idealistic. 空想的，幻想的