aureole, disinclination, profiteer, trove, surfeit: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 40. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. aureole · noun/ˈɔriˌoʊl/

   a radiant light or halo surrounding a person or thing

   As the sun set behind the mountains, an aureole of golden light enveloped the entire landscape, creating a breathtaking view.

   Synonyms: halo, 光环, glory

   Origin: Derived from Latin 'aureola,' meaning 'golden circle,' a diminutive of 'aureus' meaning 'golden.'

2. disinclination · noun/ˌdɪs.ɪn.klɪˈneɪ.ʃən/

   a reluctance or unwillingness to do something

   Her disinclination to participate in group activities made it difficult for her to make friends at the new school.

   Synonyms: reluctance, unwillingness, aversion

   Origin: From the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'not' + 'inclination' from Latin 'inclinatio', which means 'a bending or leaning'.

3. profiteer · noun/ˌprɒf.ɪˈtɪr/

   a person or entity that makes excessive profit at the expense of others

   During the crisis, many people accused the local grocery store of being a profiteer, as they significantly raised prices on essential items.

   Synonyms: exploiters, swindlers, scalpers

   Origin: The term 'profiteer' originates from the noun 'profit' combined with the suffix '-eer', which denotes a person associated with a certain activity, first appearing in the early 19th century.

4. trove · noun/troʊv/

   a valuable collection or treasure

   After years of searching, she finally discovered a trove of ancient artifacts hidden beneath the old temple.

   Synonyms: cache, treasure, haul

   Origin: from Middle English 'troven', meaning to find or discover, derived from the Old French 'trover'.

5. surfeit · noun/ˈsɜrˌfɪt/

   an excessive amount of something

   After the holidays, many people experience a surfeit of rich foods that lead to new health goals.

   Synonyms: excess, surplus, oversupply

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'surfait', from sur- (over) + fait (made, done)