ABCD Imp

unworldly

字根: un-(not)+world+-ly「不屬於這世界的」<br>EN: 1.naive, unsophisticated 2.not concerned with material things; spiritual 3.otherworldly<br>中文: 1.不諳世事的、天真的 2.超凡脫俗的 3.非塵世的<br>例: The monk was so unworldly he didn't know what a mortgage was.<br>⚠️常帶褒義的超脫，非貶義的笨。

ethos

字根: 希臘 ēthos=character, custom 習性<br>EN: the characteristic spirit/guiding beliefs of a person, community, or era<br>中文: 精神特質、風氣、價值觀<br>例: The startup's ethos was "move fast" — ethics be damned.<br>對比 ethos/pathos/logos 修辭三要素。

idealism

字根: 希臘 idein=to see 看 → idea「所見之形」<br>EN: 1.pursuit of high/noble principles, often impractically 2.(哲)doctrine that reality is mental not material<br>中文: 1.理想主義 2.唯心論<br>例: His idealism survived exactly one week of actual politics.<br>⚠️GRE常考第二義，與materialism/realism對立。

sinister

字根: 拉丁 sinister=left 左；羅馬占卜左為凶兆。反義 dexter=right→dexterous<br>EN: 1.suggesting evil or harm; menacing 2.(紋章)on the left of a shield<br>中文: 1.陰險的、邪惡的、不祥的 2.左側的<br>例: Left-handedness was once considered sinister — literally "left."<br>與adroit(右=巧)左右對照。

heroic

字根: 希臘 hērōs=hero<br>EN: 1.brave 2.EXTREME, drastic, last-resort (esp. medical) 3.larger-than-life in scale<br>中文: 1.英勇的 2.(醫療)極端的、孤注一擲的 3.宏偉的<br>例: Doctors took heroic measures — not brave, but desperate, extreme ones.<br>⚠️第二義才是GRE真考點。

vapid

字根: 拉丁 vapidus=flat 酒跑氣了 → vapor 蒸氣<br>EN: dull, insipid, lacking liveliness<br>中文: 乏味的、索然無味的<br>例: The vapid small talk had the flavor of beer left open overnight — the vapor escaped.

jejune

字根: 拉丁 jejunus=fasting, empty 空腹 → jejunum 空腸<br>EN: 1.naive, childish 2.dull, insipid 3.(land) barren<br>中文: 1.幼稚膚淺的 2.乏味的 3.貧瘠的<br>例: His jejune argument was as empty as the jejunum it's named after.<br>三義皆從「空」生出。

didactic

字根: 希臘 didaskein=to teach 教<br>EN: 1.intended to teach 2.(貶)excessively moralizing; preachy<br>中文: 1.教誨的 2.說教的、好為人師的(貶)<br>例: Aesop's fables are didactic; your uncle at dinner is didactic in the bad way.<br>⚠️GRE第二義出現率更高。

arcane

字根: 拉丁 arca=box 箱 → arcanus 鎖在箱裡=secret<br>EN: understood by few; mysterious, secret<br>中文: 神祕的、晦澀的、只有內行才懂的<br>例: The rules of cricket are arcane — locked in a box only the initiated can open.<br>近義 esoteric, abstruse, recondite。

scads

字根: 19c美式俚語，詞源不明(可能←scad 成群小魚)<br>EN: (informal, plural) large numbers/quantities; lots<br>中文: 大量、許多(口語)<br>例: She had scads of money — like a school of scad fish, too many to count.<br>非正式用詞。

glancing

字根: ←glance←古法 glacier=to slip 滑 → glacier 冰川<br>EN: 1.striking at an oblique angle; deflecting 2.indirect, passing, cursory<br>中文: 1.擦過的、斜擦的 2.一帶而過的、間接的<br>例: The bullet delivered only a glancing blow — it slid off, like a foot on a glacier.<br>⚠️GRE考第二義。

esoteric

字根: 希臘 esō=within 內 +-teros比較級「更靠內」。反義 exoteric(exō=outside)<br>EN: understood by only a small specialized group; obscure<br>中文: 深奧的、只有內行懂的、圈內的<br>例: Pythagoras taught esoteric doctrines to insiders and exoteric ones to the public.<br>辨析: esoteric(受眾窄)/arcane(祕密)/abstruse(本身難)。

corrosive

字根: cor-(加強)+rodere=to gnaw 啃 → rodent, erode<br>EN: 1.caustic 2.gradually damaging (emotions, criticism) 3.bitterly sarcastic<br>中文: 1.腐蝕性的 2.逐漸侵蝕破壞的 3.尖刻的<br>例: Corrosive suspicion gnawed at their marriage like a rodent at a wall.

finicky

字根: fine+-ical→finical→finicky「太講究細節」<br>EN: 1.excessively fussy; hard to please 2.requiring great attention to detail<br>中文: 1.挑剔的、難伺候的 2.需精細處理的<br>例: A finicky eater demands everything be fine — temperature, plating, exact crunch.<br>近義 fastidious, punctilious, meticulous。

indiscreet

字根: in-(not)+dis-(apart)+cernere=to sift 篩「分不清該說不該說」→ discern, discrete, secret, certain<br>EN: lacking judgment about what to say/do; revealing too much; imprudent<br>中文: 不謹慎的、輕率的、口無遮攔的<br>例: An indiscreet remark — he couldn't sift what should stay secret.<br>⚠️別混 indiscrete(不可分的)。

sociology

字根: 拉丁 socius=companion 同伴 + 希臘 -logia=study → social, associate, dissociate<br>EN: the study of human society's development, structure, and functioning<br>中文: 社會學<br>例: Sociology studies how socii — companions — form societies.

banal

字根: 法 ban=領主強制公告/公用設施 → 人人可用 → 平常 → 陳腐 → ban, abandon, bandit<br>EN: so unoriginal as to be obvious and boring; trite, hackneyed<br>中文: 陳腐的、平庸的、老生常談的<br>例: The village oven was banal — open to everyone; so are his banal opinions.<br>名詞 banality。

provocative

字根: pro-(forth)+vocare=to call 叫 → voice, evoke, revoke, advocate, vocation<br>EN: 1.deliberately annoying 2.STIMULATING thought/discussion (中性/褒!) 3.sexually suggestive<br>中文: 1.挑釁的 2.引人深思的、激發討論的(褒) 3.挑逗的<br>例: A provocative essay calls forth debate — not necessarily a fight.<br>⚠️GRE常用第二義。

insipid

字根: in-(not)+sapidus=tasty←sapere=to taste; be wise → sapient, homo sapiens, savor, sage<br>EN: 1.lacking flavor; tasteless 2.dull, uninspiring<br>中文: 1.無味的 2.乏味的、平淡無奇的<br>例: The soup was insipid and so was the conversation — neither had any sapor.<br>無聊天團: vapid/jejune/banal/vacuous。

aphorism

字根: 希臘 apo-(from)+horizein=to bound 劃界 → horos=boundary → horizon<br>EN: a concise, pithy statement of a general truth; a maxim<br>中文: 格言、警句、箴言<br>例: An aphorism draws a horizon around a truth — a sharp boundary in few words.<br>形容詞 aphoristic。近義 maxim, adage, dictum, epigram。

adroit

字根: 法 à droit「向右/合乎正道」← directus → 右手=靈巧。反義 maladroit, gauche(法左=拙)<br>EN: clever or skillful, esp. in handling situations; dexterous<br>中文: 靈巧的、機敏的、善於應對的<br>例: Adroit = to the right hand; sinister = to the left.<br>與sinister左右成對記。

shrewd

字根: ←shrew 鼩鼱/潑婦 → 中古 shrewed「像shrew般惡毒」→ 狡猾 → 精明(貶轉褒)<br>EN: having sharp practical/business judgment; astute<br>中文: 精明的、有眼光的、判斷敏銳的<br>例: Once "wicked as a shrew," now merely shrewd — a shrewd investor, not an evil one.<br>⚠️現代基本褒義。

riotous

字根: ←riot←古法 riote=quarrel 爭吵<br>EN: 1.unruly, disorderly 2.unrestrained, dissolute 3.boisterously hilarious 4.luxuriantly profuse<br>中文: 1.騷亂的 2.放縱的 3.極其有趣的 4.繁茂絢爛的<br>例: A riotous garden, a riotous comedy, a riotous night out.<br>⚠️義3、4不含貶義。

intricate

字根: in-(into)+tricae=entanglements 糾纏物 → intrigue, extricate(ex-出→解脫)<br>EN: very complicated or detailed; many interrelating parts<br>中文: 錯綜複雜的、精細複雜的<br>例: You get entangled (in-tricate) and need help to get out (ex-tricate).<br>中性偏褒(精巧)，對比 convoluted(貶)。

canned

字根: ←can 罐頭 → 裝罐保存 → 預先做好、不新鮮<br>EN: 1.preserved in a can 2.prerecorded (canned laughter) 3.prepared in advance, formulaic, stale<br>中文: 1.罐裝的 2.預錄的 3.老一套的、套話的<br>例: His apology was canned — sealed, shelf-stable, reheated for every occasion.<br>⚠️GRE考第三義。

convoluted

字根: con-(together)+volvere=to roll 捲 → revolve, evolve, involve, volume, voluble<br>EN: 1.extremely complex, hard to follow 2.coiled, twisted (brain convolutions)<br>中文: 1.冗長複雜的、晦澀難懂的(貶) 2.盤繞的<br>例: His convoluted excuse rolled back on itself so many times I lost the thread.<br>intricate(褒) vs convoluted(貶)。

vacuous

字根: 拉丁 vacuus=empty → vacant, vacation, vacuum, evacuate, vanity, void<br>EN: 1.lacking ideas/intelligence; inane 2.showing no thought; blank (vacuous stare) 3.empty<br>中文: 1.空洞無腦的 2.茫然發呆的 3.空的<br>例: A vacuous smile and a vacuous stare — the lights are on, but the vacuum is home.

tortuous

字根: 拉丁 torquere=to twist 扭 → torque, torture, contort, distort, extort, torment<br>EN: 1.full of twists; winding 2.excessively complex; devious, not straightforward<br>中文: 1.曲折蜿蜒的 2.拐彎抹角的、迂迴冗長的<br>例: A tortuous mountain road; a tortuous legal argument — both twist.<br>⚠️tortuous(曲折)≠torturous(折磨人的)。

formulaic

字根: formula(←forma 的指小詞「固定套式」)+-ic<br>EN: constructed by a set formula; predictable, unoriginal<br>中文: 公式化的、老套的、按套路來的<br>例: Every Hallmark movie is formulaic — plug in the small town, the city girl, the carpenter.<br>近義 canned, hackneyed, derivative, banal。

enchantment

字根: en-(使)+chant←拉丁 cantare=to sing 唱「唱咒語」→ incantation, cant, canto, recant, accent<br>EN: 1.a magic spell; being under a spell 2.great delight or fascination; charm<br>中文: 1.魔法、施咒、著魔 2.陶醉、著迷、魅力<br>例: Witches sing (cantare) their enchantments — and so does a landscape that leaves you enchanted.

momentous

字根: 拉丁 momentum=movement; weight; importance←movere=to move → moment, motion, motive, promote, emotion<br>EN: of great importance/significance, esp. for the future<br>中文: 重大的、意義深遠的<br>例: A momentous decision carries momentum — weight, and it moves the future.<br>⚠️momentous(重大)≠momentary(短暫)。

dormant

字根: 拉丁 dormire=to sleep 睡 → dormitory, dormouse<br>EN: 1.temporarily inactive but activatable 2.(生物)hibernating 3.(火山)not erupting but not extinct<br>中文: 1.蟄伏的、潛伏的 2.休眠的 3.(火山)休眠的<br>例: A dormant volcano sleeps in its dormitory — it can still wake up.<br>⚠️dormant(可復甦) vs extinct(徹底死)。

nugatory

字根: 拉丁 nugae=trifles, jokes 瑣事 → nugatorius=trifling<br>EN: 1.of no value; trifling, worthless 2.having no legal force; invalid, ineffective<br>中文: 1.無價值的、瑣碎的 2.(法律)無效的、失效的<br>例: The new law rendered the old contract nugatory — reduced to a joke, legally void.<br>⚠️第二義是考點。近義 null, void, futile, otiose。

repetitious

字根: re-(again)+petere=to seek 追 → petition, appetite, compete, impetus, perpetual<br>EN: characterized by unnecessary/tedious repetition<br>中文: (令人厭煩地)重複的、囉嗦的<br>例: The lecture was repetitious — he kept going back for the same point.<br>⚠️repetitious/repetitive(貶) vs repeated(中性)。

conventionality

字根: con-(together)+ven-(venire=to come 來)+-ity「大家一起走到一塊兒」→ 慣例 → 墨守<br>EN: 1.conformity to accepted practice (常貶) 2.unoriginality; predictability 3.a mere formality<br>中文: 1.墨守成規、因循守舊 2.平庸無新意 3.(可數)俗套、繁文縟節<br>例: His paintings never escaped conventionality.<br>⚠️閱讀中幾乎永遠貶義，與originality對立。別和 conventionalism(守舊主義)混。

advent

字根: ad-(to)+venire=to come 來「來到」→ convene, invent, prevent, event, souvenir<br>EN: 1.arrival/coming into being of a notable thing 2.(Advent)基督降臨節<br>中文: 1.(重要事物的)出現、到來 2.基督降臨節<br>例: The advent of the smartphone came toward us and never left.<br>⚠️只用於重大事物。

remunerative

字根: re-(back)+munus=gift, duty 禮物/職務 → 回贈 → munificent, municipal, immunity, common<br>EN: 1.financially rewarding; lucrative 2.compensating<br>中文: 1.賺錢的、報酬優厚的 2.給予報償的<br>例: Poetry is rewarding but not remunerative.<br>⚠️拼字: re-MUN-erative，不是 renumerative。

spartan

字根: ←Sparta 斯巴達(嚴苛軍事/簡樸)。eponym<br>EN: 1.simple, frugal, austere; lacking luxury 2.self-disciplined, indifferent to hardship<br>中文: 1.簡樸刻苦的、不舒適的 2.堅忍剛毅的<br>例: His spartan apartment held a mattress, a lamp, and nothing a Spartan wouldn't carry into battle.<br>同鄉 laconic(言簡)。反義 opulent。

inconceivable

字根: in-(not)+con-(together)+capere=to take 抓「抓進心裡」→ conceive, perceive, receive, capture<br>EN: not able to be imagined, grasped, or believed; unthinkable<br>中文: 難以想像的、不可思議的<br>例: The mind can't take it in — literally in-con-ceive-able.<br>近義 unimaginable, implausible, incredible。

ramshackle

字根: ←ransack←古諾斯 rannsaka(rann房子+saka搜)「被翻遍的房子」→ 破爛欲倒<br>EN: 1.(building)in severe disrepair; rickety 2.(system)loosely made; shoddy<br>中文: 1.搖搖欲墜的、破敗的 2.拼湊的、鬆散雜亂的<br>例: A ramshackle coalition.<br>⚠️第二義是考點。近義 dilapidated, decrepit, jerry-built。

unfashionable

字根: un-+fashion←拉丁 factio←facere=to make 做 → factory, effect, artificial<br>EN: not currently popular or in style; out of vogue<br>中文: 不時髦的、過時的<br>例: An unfashionable but correct theory — 不受青睞卻正確(常暗示被低估)。<br>近義 outmoded, passé, dated, obsolete。

extermination

字根: ex-(out)+terminus=boundary 邊界「趕出邊界外」→ terminal, terminate, determine, interminable<br>EN: total destruction/eradication of a species or population<br>中文: 滅絕、根除、徹底消滅<br>例: Extermination drives a species out past the boundary — no return.<br>🔍 rare extermination=滅絕鮮少發生(否定式限定讀法)。

sporadic

字根: 希臘 sporas=scattered←speirein=to sow 播種 → spore, diaspora<br>EN: occurring at irregular intervals/few places; scattered, intermittent<br>中文: 零星的、偶發的、斷斷續續的<br>例: Sporadic gunfire — scattered like seeds sown by a careless hand.<br>辨析: sporadic(不規律)/intermittent(斷續有規律)/periodic(週期)。

assorted

字根: ad-(to)+sort←拉丁 sors=lot, fate 抽籤 → 依籤分類 → consort, resort, sorcerer<br>EN: 1.of various kinds; miscellaneous 2.classified into sorts<br>中文: 1.各式各樣的、什錦的 2.分類過的<br>例: A box of assorted chocolates — each a different lot drawn by your teeth.<br>近義 miscellaneous, sundry, motley, heterogeneous。

comical

字根: 希臘 kōmos=revel 狂歡 + ōidē=song → kōmōidia 喜劇 → comedy, ode, parody<br>EN: 1.amusing 2.unintentionally funny; ludicrous, absurd<br>中文: 1.滑稽好笑的 2.可笑的、荒唐的(常指出洋相)<br>例: His attempt at dignity was comical — the revel was at his expense.<br>⚠️comic(有意逗笑) vs comical(無意好笑,略貶)。

pernicious

字根: per-(thoroughly)+nex/necis=death 死「徹底致死」→ internecine, necromancy, noxious<br>EN: harmful, esp. gradually/subtly/insidiously; deadly<br>中文: 有毒害的、潛移默化地危害的、致命的<br>例: A pernicious rumor kills thoroughly — slowly, quietly, from the inside.<br>⚠️傷害不易察覺、逐漸滲透。近義 insidious, deleterious, baneful。反義 innocuous。

prying

字根: ←pry(詞源不明)。另有 pry=撬(←prise 抓取,不同源)<br>EN: (adj.)intrusively inquisitive; nosy。(v.)1.pry into 打探 2.pry open 撬開 3.pry out 費力套出<br>中文: (形)愛打聽的、好管閒事的<br>例: Away from prying eyes.<br>⚠️inquisitive(可中性) vs prying(一律貶義)。

recollection

字根: re-(again)+col-(together)+legere=to gather 收集「再收攏散落之物」→ collect, select, neglect, intellect<br>EN: 1.the action/faculty of remembering 2.a memory<br>中文: 1.回憶(能力/行為) 2.往事<br>例: Recollection re-collects what memory scattered — you pick the pieces up again.<br>暗示需努力「撿回」，比 memory 主動。

coax

字根: ←過時名詞 cokes=fool 傻子「把某人當傻子哄」→ 哄勸<br>EN: 1.persuade gently by flattery/patience 2.manipulate carefully into working (coaxed the engine into life)<br>中文: 1.哄勸、好言相勸 2.耐心擺弄使其運作<br>例: He coaxed the old car into starting and his sister into forgiving him.<br>⚠️第二義是考點。近義 cajole, wheedle, inveigle, blandish。反義 coerce, browbeat。

riveting

字根: ←rivet 鉚釘←古法 river=to fix, clinch 釘牢「把注意力鉚死」<br>EN: completely engrossing; compelling attention; fascinating<br>中文: 引人入勝的、扣人心弦的、令人目不轉睛的<br>例: A riveting performance rivets you to your seat.<br>近義 gripping, engrossing, spellbinding, mesmerizing。反義 vapid, soporific。

spotty

字根: ←spot 斑點 → 東一塊西一塊 → 不均勻<br>EN: 1.occurring irregularly; uneven in quality/coverage; patchy 2.blotchy<br>中文: 1.參差不齊的、時有時無的、零星不全的 2.有斑點的<br>例: His attendance was spotty and his evidence spottier.<br>⚠️第一義是考點。sporadic(時空零星) vs spotty(覆蓋/品質不均、不可靠)。

elusive

字根: e-(away)+ludere=to play 玩「玩著溜走」→ allude, illusion, delude, collude, ludicrous<br>EN: 1.hard to find, catch, or achieve 2.hard to remember/define/grasp<br>中文: 1.難以捉摸/捕捉/達成的 2.難以理解/言明的<br>例: The answer played away from me — elusive as an eel in wet hands.<br>⚠️elusive/illusory(虛幻)/allusive(多典故) 三胞胎。

sycophantic

字根: 希臘 sykon=fig 無花果 + phainein=to show → sykophantēs 告密者 → 諂媚者 → phenomenon, fantasy, diaphanous<br>EN: obsequiously flattering to gain advantage; fawning, servile<br>中文: 阿諛奉承的、諂媚的、拍馬屁的<br>例: The sycophantic aide showed the king only figs he'd like.<br>名詞 sycophant。近義 obsequious, fawning, unctuous, toadying。

dissident

字根: dis-(apart)+sedere=to sit 坐「坐得離大家遠」→ reside, preside, assiduous, insidious, subsidy<br>EN: (n.)one who opposes official policy, esp. of an authoritarian state<br>中文: 異議人士、持不同政見者<br>例: The dissident sat apart from the Party congress — and the Party noticed.<br>近義 dissenter, heretic, nonconformist, iconoclast。

collegial

字根: col-(together)+legare=to depute←lex=law → collega 同僚 → colleague, legal, delegate, privilege<br>EN: 1.of shared power among colleagues 2.marked by friendly cooperative relations<br>中文: 1.權責共享的 2.同事間友好合作的、和睦的<br>例: A collegial department shares the law and the load.<br>⚠️collegial(同僚友好) vs collegiate(大學的)。

unequivocal

字根: un-(not)+equi-=equal+vox=voice「不是兩種聲音一樣響」→ 明確 → provocative, evoke, revoke<br>EN: leaving no doubt; unambiguous, absolute, emphatic<br>中文: 明確的、毫不含糊的、斬釘截鐵的<br>例: An unequivocal "no" — one voice, not two of equal weight.<br>家族: equivocal(模稜)/equivocate(支吾)/unqualified(絕對的,非「沒資格」)。

genteel

字根: 法 gentil←拉丁 gentilis=of the same clan←gens 氏族 → 出身好 → gentle, gentry, gene, genuine<br>EN: 1.polite, refined — often affectedly so 2.upper-class in manner while lacking money<br>中文: 1.有教養的(常帶「裝腔」譏諷) 2.空有架子沒錢的<br>例: Her genteel poverty meant real silver on the table and nothing to put on it.<br>⚠️幾乎總是暗諷。genteel poverty 固定搭配。

affable

字根: ad-(to)+fari=to speak 說「容易對他說話」→ fable, fate, infant, ineffable, confess<br>EN: friendly, good-natured, easy to talk to; approachable<br>中文: 和藹可親的、平易近人的<br>例: An affable host — you can speak to him about anything.<br>近義 genial, cordial, amiable, gregarious。

captivating

字根: capere=to seize 抓 → captivus 俘虜「把心抓成俘虜」→ capture, receive, deceive<br>EN: charming and fascinating; holding attention completely<br>中文: 迷人的、令人著迷的、俘獲人心的<br>例: A captivating smile takes you captive — you don't notice the handcuffs.<br>近義 riveting, enchanting, enthralling, mesmerizing。

vehement

字根: vehere=to carry 運「被激情運走」或 ve-無+mens 理智 → vehicle, inveigh, invective<br>EN: 1.showing strong, intense feeling; forceful 2.powerful, violent in force<br>中文: 1.激烈的、慷慨激昂的 2.猛烈的<br>例: His vehement denial carried him past reason — the vehicle had no brakes.<br>近義 ardent, fervent, adamant, strident(貶)。

predominant

字根: pre-(before)+dominus=master 主人←domus 房 → dominate, domain, domestic, danger<br>EN: 1.strongest/main; most common or frequent 2.having greater power/influence<br>中文: 1.佔多數的、最主要的、最普遍的 2.佔支配地位的<br>例: Rice is the predominant crop — it lords over every field before all others.<br>⚠️predominant(數量最多) vs preeminent(品質第一)。

pompous

字根: 希臘 pompē=solemn procession 隆重遊行 → pompa 排場 → 自命不凡<br>EN: 1.affectedly grand/self-important; using inflated language 2.ostentatiously showy<br>中文: 1.自負浮誇的、擺架子的、愛用大詞的 2.鋪張的<br>例: His pompous speech was a one-man procession — all banners, no parade.<br>名詞 pomp(排場,中性)。近義 grandiloquent, bombastic, supercilious。

precarious

字根: 拉丁 precari=to pray, beg 祈求「靠乞求得來、隨時可收回」→ pray, deprecate, imprecation<br>EN: 1.not securely held; likely to collapse 2.dependent on chance; uncertain, risky<br>中文: 1.搖搖欲墜的、不穩的 2.危險的、朝不保夕的<br>例: A precarious job — you keep it only by praying no one takes it back.<br>近義 tenuous, unstable, perilous, tottering。

dispersal

字根: dis-(apart)+spargere=to scatter 撒 → sparse, aspersion(潑髒水→誹謗), intersperse<br>EN: the process of distributing/spreading over a wide area; scattering of a group<br>中文: 散布、擴散、疏散、驅散<br>例: Seed dispersal scatters life apart.<br>近義 diffusion, scattering, dissemination, propagation。

inveterate

字根: in-(in)+vetus=old 老「使變得根深柢固」→ veteran, veterinary(治老牲口的!)<br>EN: 1.(habit)long-established, deep-rooted 2.(person)habitual (an inveterate liar/gambler)<br>中文: 1.根深柢固的、積習難改的 2.積習成癖的、一貫的<br>例: An inveterate gambler has grown old inside the habit.<br>近義 chronic, confirmed, ingrained, incorrigible。

conjectural

字根: con-(together)+jacere=to throw 丟「把線索丟一起」→ project, reject, abject, dejected, trajectory<br>EN: based on guesswork; speculative, hypothetical, unproven<br>中文: 推測的、臆測的、未經證實的<br>例: His account of the fire is conjectural — he threw the clues together and hoped.<br>名詞/動詞 conjecture。近義 speculative, hypothetical, putative。

prescient

字根: pre-(before)+scire=to know 知「事先就知道」→ science, conscious, conscience, omniscient<br>EN: having/showing foreknowledge; having foresight<br>中文: 有先見之明的、預知的、未卜先知的<br>例: Her 2006 memo about the housing market was prescient.<br>名詞 prescience。近義 prophetic, clairvoyant, farsighted。對比 conjectural(瞎猜)。

viable

字根: 法 vie=life←拉丁 vita=life「活得下去的」→ vital, vitamin, revive, survive, vivid<br>EN: 1.workable, feasible (a viable plan) 2.(生物)able to live and develop (a viable fetus)<br>中文: 1.可行的、行得通的 2.能存活的、有生命力的<br>例: A viable plan has life in it; a viable seed literally does.<br>⚠️viable←vita(生命)，不是 via(路)!

disheartening

字根: dis-(away)+heart+-en「把心拿走」→ 使洩氣。心=勇氣: hearten, courage(←coeur心)<br>EN: causing loss of determination/confidence/hope; discouraging<br>中文: 令人洩氣的、使人沮喪的、打擊士氣的<br>例: The third rejection was disheartening — each takes a little more heart away.<br>近義 demoralizing, dispiriting, daunting, deflating。

knotty

字根: ←knot 結 → 打結木頭難鋸 → 難處理<br>EN: 1.extremely difficult, complex, puzzling (a knotty problem) 2.(wood)full of knots, gnarled<br>中文: 1.棘手的、錯綜複雜的、難解的 2.多節瘤的<br>例: A knotty problem — you can't saw through it, you have to untie it.<br>⚠️第一義是考點。近義 thorny, vexed, intricate, convoluted, Byzantine。

litigation

字根: 拉丁 lis/litis=lawsuit 訴訟 + agere=to drive 推「推動訴訟」→ act, agent, agenda, mitigate<br>EN: the process of taking legal action; carrying on a lawsuit<br>中文: 訴訟、打官司、興訟<br>例: Years of litigation drove the dispute through every court.<br>💡衍生 litigious=好訟的(貶,GRE更常考)。litigant, litigate。

onerous

字根: 拉丁 onus=burden 重擔 → exonerate(ex-出+onus→卸擔=免責)<br>EN: involving great effort/difficulty; burdensome, oppressive<br>中文: 繁重的、艱鉅的、負擔沉重的<br>例: The onerous contract put the whole onus on her — until the court exonerated her.<br>三字組 onus/onerous/exonerate。近義 arduous, taxing, oppressive。

heyday

字根: 感嘆詞 heyda!(≈hurrah)→ 誤解為 hey+day → 全盛期(與 hay 無關)<br>EN: the period of greatest success, popularity, power, or vigor; prime<br>中文: 全盛期、鼎盛時期、黃金時代<br>例: In its heyday the studio made three hits a year; now it makes excuses.<br>常用 in one's heyday。近義 prime, zenith, apex, acme, halcyon days。

mayoral

字根: mayor←法 maire←拉丁 maior=greater(magnus比較級)「更大的人」→ major, majesty, magnify, magnate<br>EN: (adj.)relating to a mayor or the office of mayor<br>中文: 市長的、與市長職位有關的<br>例: The mayoral race decides who gets to be the major figure in town.<br>對照 minor→minister(較小者→僕人→部長)。

delegate

字根: de-(away)+legare=to commission 委派←lex=law → colleague, legal, relegate(打發回去→貶謫)<br>EN: (n.)a representative。(v.)1.entrust a task to another 2.authorize as representative<br>中文: (名)代表;(動)1.授權、下放 2.派為代表<br>例: A good manager delegates — sends the law away from her own desk.<br>⚠️重音變義: n. DEL-e-gut / v. DEL-e-gate。對照 relegate(貶降)。

acclaimed

字根: ad-(to)+clamare=to shout 喊「向他歡呼」→ claim, exclaim, proclaim, clamor, clamorous<br>EN: publicly praised and highly regarded<br>中文: 廣受讚譽的、備受好評的<br>例: The critically acclaimed novel — everyone shouted toward it, few finished it.<br>名詞 acclaim; acclamation(歡呼通過)。⚠️別混 acclimation(適應氣候)。

protean

字根: ←海神 Proteus 能變形。eponym<br>EN: 1.tending to change frequently/easily; variable 2.able to do many things; versatile<br>中文: 1.變化多端的、千變萬化的 2.多才多藝的<br>例: A protean performer — like Proteus, he slips into any shape you name.<br>神話eponym: mercurial, jovial, saturnine, martial, stentorian, tantalize。

versatile

字根: 拉丁 vertere=to turn 轉「能轉來轉去」→ convert, invert, divert, adverse, diverse, universe<br>EN: 1.adaptable to many functions; having many uses 2.skilled in many fields<br>中文: 1.多用途的、通用的 2.多才多藝的<br>例: A versatile tool turns its hand to anything.<br>辨析: versatile(能力廣)/protean(善變)/mercurial(情緒善變,貶)。

prominent

字根: pro-(forward)+minere=to jut 突出「向前突出」→ eminent, imminent, preeminent, menace, minaret<br>EN: 1.important, famous 2.projecting; protuberant 3.conspicuous, noticeable<br>中文: 1.著名重要的 2.突出凸起的 3.顯眼醒目的<br>例: Prominent cheekbones, a prominent scar, a prominent scholar.<br>⚠️四胞胎 prominent/eminent/imminent/immanent(內在)。

circumscribed

字根: circum-(around)+scribere=to draw 畫「在周圍畫一圈」→ prescribe, proscribe(禁止!), describe, manuscript<br>EN: 1.restricted within limits; confined 2.(幾何)circumscribed<br>中文: 1.受限制的、被局限的 2.外接的<br>例: Her authority was circumscribed — someone drew a circle around it.<br>⚠️prescribe(規定) vs proscribe(禁止,反義!)。呼應 qualify=限定。

illustrious

字根: in-(強調)+lustrare=to light up←lux=light 光「被光照耀」→ lustrous, illustrate, lucid, luminous, Lucifer<br>EN: well known and admired for past achievements; distinguished, renowned<br>中文: 傑出的、著名的、輝煌的、聲名顯赫的<br>例: An illustrious career — lit from within, and everyone saw it.<br>⚠️專指因過往成就享盛名(不能形容惡名)。prominent<eminent<illustrious。

contentious

字根: con-(together)+tendere=to stretch 拉「互相拉扯」→ contend, contest, tension, pretend, tendentious<br>EN: 1.(issue)causing disagreement; controversial 2.(person)quarrelsome, belligerent<br>中文: 1.(議題)有爭議的 2.(人)好爭辯的、愛吵架的<br>例: A contentious topic in the hands of a contentious colleague.<br>⚠️兩義主詞不同。別混 tendentious(偏頗的)。

verbose

字根: 拉丁 verbum=word 字「多字的」→ verb, verbal, verbatim, proverb, verbiage<br>EN: using more words than necessary; wordy, prolix<br>中文: 冗長囉嗦的、廢話多的<br>例: Verbose = drowning in verbum — all the words, none of the point.<br>名詞 verbosity。辨析: verbose/prolix(文字冗) vs garrulous/loquacious(人話多)。

long-winded

字根: long+wind(氣息)原指「長氣耐力好」→ 一口氣說太久<br>EN: tediously lengthy in speaking/writing; going on far too long<br>中文: 冗長的、囉嗦的、講個沒完的<br>例: He's long-winded — one breath that started at the appetizer and hasn't ended.<br>💡wind讀/wɪnd/。verbose(書面) vs long-winded(口語、說話)。

curt

字根: 拉丁 curtus=cut short 截短 → curtail, shirt, skirt(都是被剪短的!), score<br>EN: rudely brief in speech/manner; abrupt to the point of impoliteness; terse<br>中文: 簡短無禮的、唐突生硬的、短促冷淡的<br>例: A curt "Fine." — the conversation was curtailed before it began.<br>⚠️話少三兄弟: curt(無禮,貶)/terse(精煉,中褒)/laconic(極省,中性)。

laconic

字根: ←Laconia 拉科尼亞(斯巴達所在)→ 斯巴達人言簡。eponym<br>EN: using very few words; concise to the point of terseness<br>中文: 言簡意賅的、寡言的、簡練的<br>例: Philip threatened Sparta with destruction. Sparta's laconic reply: "If."<br>與 spartan 同鄉。不帶貶義(甚至帶點酷)。反義 verbose, garrulous, prolix。

nonchalance

字根: 法 non-+chaloir←拉丁 calere=to be hot 發熱「熱不起來」→ calorie(熱量!), scald, cauldron<br>EN: calm unconcern or indifference; casual coolness; studied indifference<br>中文: 若無其事、滿不在乎、泰然自若、淡定<br>例: She took the news with perfect nonchalance — nothing warmed her.<br>形容詞 nonchalant。近義 insouciance, aplomb, sangfroid, equanimity。常帶表演性。

commercialism

字根: com-(together)+merx/merc-=merchandise 商品 → commerce, merchant, mercenary(唯利), mercy(←報酬)<br>EN: 1.the spirit/methods of commerce 2.(貶)excessive emphasis on profit over quality/art/ethics<br>中文: 1.商業主義 2.(貶)唯利是圖、過度商業化<br>例: The festival's commercialism killed it — every stage sponsored, every song for sale.<br>⚠️GRE幾乎必為第二義，與art/integrity對立。

ephemeral

字根: 希臘 epi-(for)+hēmera=day 日「只活一天」→ ephemera(蜉蝣), ephemeris<br>EN: lasting a very short time; transitory, fleeting, short-lived<br>中文: 短暫的、轉瞬即逝的、朝生暮死的<br>例: The mayfly is ephemeral — literally "for a day"; so was his fame.<br>近義 transient, evanescent, fugitive, momentary。反義 perpetual, perennial, enduring。

opulent

字根: 拉丁 ops/opis=wealth 財富 → opulentus → copious, opus/opera, operate, cooperate<br>EN: 1.ostentatiously rich and luxurious; lavish 2.wealthy 3.abundant, profuse<br>中文: 1.奢華的、富麗堂皇的 2.富有的 3.豐饒的、繁茂的<br>例: An opulent ballroom — every surface announcing its own wealth.<br>⚠️常帶炫耀過頭意味。反義 spartan, austere, ascetic, frugal。

eclectic

字根: 希臘 ek-(out)+legein=to choose 挑「從各處挑選」→ select, collect, recollection, elect, neglect<br>EN: deriving from a broad diverse range of sources; not following one system<br>中文: 兼容並蓄的、博採眾長的、折衷的<br>例: Her eclectic taste — Bach, bluegrass, and Bulgarian throat singing.<br>⚠️褒義(有品味地博採)，非「雜亂」。近義 catholic(廣泛的), varied, wide-ranging。

enigmatic

字根: 希臘 ainigma=riddle 謎←ainissesthai=to speak in riddles<br>EN: difficult to interpret; mysterious, puzzling, cryptic<br>中文: 神祕難解的、謎一般的、費解的<br>例: Her enigmatic smile — a riddle with no answer key.<br>名詞 enigma。辨析: enigmatic(難解讀)/arcane(祕密)/esoteric(圈內)/inscrutable(看不出心思,多形容人)。

bucolic

字根: 希臘 boukolos=cowherd←bous=ox 牛 → bovine, beef, butter(bou-tyron牛的乳酪!), buffalo<br>EN: 1.relating to pleasant countryside life; pastoral, rustic 2.(n.)a pastoral poem<br>中文: 1.田園的、鄉村牧歌式的、恬靜的 2.田園詩<br>例: A bucolic valley — cows, stone walls, and not a single email.<br>⚠️總是美化理想化的鄉村。近義 pastoral, idyllic, arcadian。

reassuring

字根: re-(again)+ad-+securus=free from care←se-(without)+cura=care 憂 → cure, secure, sinecure(閒差!)<br>EN: serving to restore confidence or reduce fear; comforting<br>中文: 令人安心的、寬慰的、安撫人心的<br>例: Her reassuring tone made the risk feel secure again.<br>💡衍生 sinecure=無需操心的肥缺。反義 distressing, disheartening。

invigorating

字根: in-(使)+vigor=活力←vigere=to thrive → vigil, vigilant, vigilante, surveillance(從上看守!)<br>EN: making one feel strong and full of energy; refreshing, stimulating<br>中文: 令人精神振奮的、提神的、使人充滿活力的<br>例: An invigorating swim in cold water — vigor poured back in.<br>近義 bracing, rejuvenating, salubrious。反義 indolent, lethargic。

circumvent

字根: circum-(around)+venire=to come「繞著來」→ advent, invent, prevent; circumscribe, circumspect<br>EN: 1.find a way around an obstacle/rule; evade, bypass (often cleverly) 2.go around; encircle<br>中文: 1.規避、繞過、鑽漏洞 2.環繞<br>例: They didn't break the law — they circumvented it.<br>⚠️常帶「取巧鑽空子」意味。⚠️別混 obviate(使變得不必要)。

entail

字根: en-(in)+法 taille=a cut 切←拉丁 talea 枝條「切成限定繼承」→ tailor, detail, retail, curtail<br>EN: 1.involve as a necessary/inevitable part or consequence 2.(法)settle inheritance<br>中文: 1.必然包含、牽涉到、需要 2.限定繼承<br>例: The job entails travel — it's cut into the contract, not optional.<br>💡tailor/detail/retail/entail 全來自「切」。近義 involve, necessitate, presuppose。

markedly

字根: ←marked←mark←日耳曼 marka=boundary, sign → march, margin, demarcate, remark(再標記→評論)<br>EN: to a noticeable/striking degree; significantly, conspicuously<br>中文: 顯著地、明顯地、引人注目地<br>例: Yields improved markedly.<br>💡副詞 markedly 三音節(-ed要發音)。同類 allegedly, supposedly。近義 notably, strikingly, appreciably。

tillage

字根: ←till←古英 tilian=to strive for, cultivate 努力取得/耕作 → tilth<br>EN: 1.preparation of land for crops; cultivation 2.tilled land<br>中文: 1.耕作、耕耘、翻土 2.耕地<br>例: Centuries of tillage turned forest into farmland.<br>⚠️三個till: 耕種/直到/收銀機抽屜(不同源)。農業字: arable, fallow, husbandry, furrow。

foraging

字根: ←forage←法 fourrage←日耳曼 fodr=food 飼料「幫軍隊/牲口找糧草」→ fodder, food, feed, foster(餵養→撫育)<br>EN: 1.searching widely for food/provisions (animals or wild-food gathering) 2.(hist.)徵糧<br>中文: 1.覓食、搜尋食物、採集野食 2.搜刮糧草<br>例: Before tillage there was foraging — you didn't grow your fodder, you found it.<br>人類學: foraging vs agriculture; hunter-gatherer, subsistence, nomadic。