Lord of the Rings Book 1

Alphabetical A-D		Alphabetical E - K		Alphabetical L- S		Alphabetical T - Z
Book 1	Book 2	Book 3	Book 4	Book 5	Book 6	Appendices

Word	Page 1st Used	Meaning as used in The Lord of the Rings	Context of use, sentence used in
The Fellowship of the ring
		Book I, Chapter 1
		A Long Expected Party
comely	2	Pleasing in appearance; fair; handsome.	Thus, the only craft little practised among them was shoe-making; but they had long and skilful fingers and could make many other useful and comely things.
vales	3	A valley.	Their earliest tales seem to glimpse a time when they dwelt in the upper *vales* of Anduin, between the *eaves* of Greenwood the Great and the Misty Mountains.
eaves	3	The overhanging or lower edge of roof.	See text above for *vales*.
perilous	3	Full of or attended with peril; hazardous, dangerous, risky; exposure to injury.	Why they later undertook the hard and *perilous* crossing of the mountains into Eriador is no longer certain.
ere	4	Before.	There was room and to spare for incomers, and *ere* long the Hobbits began to settle in ordered communities.
Dearth	5	Scarcity and dearness of food; famine; hence, scarcity of scanty supply of anything; want or lack.	Many thousands then perished, but the Days of *Dearth* (1158-60) were at the time of this tale long past and the Hobbits had again become accustomed to plenty.
leagues	5	A measure of distance, varying at different periods and in different countries, in English - speaking countries usually estimated roughly at 3 miles.	Forty *leagues* it stretched from the Far Downs to the Brandywine Bridge, and fifty from the northern moors to the marshes in the south.
routed	5	Dispersal or flight of a defeated armed or opposing force in complete disorder (as, to put in army to rout; defeat ending in rout; a defeat attended with disorderly flight).	The last battle, before this story opens, and indeed the only one that had ever been fought within the borders of the Shire, was beyond living memory: the Battle of Greenfields, S.R. 1147, in which Bandobras Took *routed* an invasion of Orcs.
ravening	5	To seize as spoil (goods, property, territory, etc., seized by force) or prey (that which is taken in war, or by pillage or violence; booty, spoil, plunder); also; to seek plunder or prey.	Even the weathers had grown milder, and the wolves that had once come *ravening* out of the North in bitter white winters were now only a grandfather's tale.
daunt	5	To subdue; also, to overcome with fear; intimidate; hence, to abate the courage of; discourage; dispirit.	They were, if it came to it, difficult to *daunt* or to kill; and they were, perhaps, so unwearyingly fond of good things not least because they could, when put to it, do without them…
doughty	6	Capable; strong; stout; hardy; valiant.	Though slow to quarrel, and for sport killing nothing that lived, they were *doughty* at bay, and at need could still handle arms.
token	7	Something serving to represent or indicate some fact, event, feeling, etc.; a sign; a symbol.	And as the days of the Shire lengthened they spoke less and less with the Elves, and grew afraid of them, and distrustful of those that had dealings with them; and the Sea became a word of fear among them, and a *token* of death, and they turned their faces
turves	7	Turf. A piece cut or torn from the surface of grassland, with grass, etc. growing on it; a sod; often the grassy covering of a grave.	The oldest kind were, indeed, no more than built imitations of smials, thatched with dry grass or straw, or roofed with *turves*, and having walls somewhat bulged.
whither	8	Interrogative adverb. To what place?; hence, to what point, end, course, etc.; to extent or how far.	'All the same, observations that I have made on my own many journeys south have convinced me that the weed itself is not native to our parts of the world, but came northward from the lower Anduin, *whither* it was, I suspect, originally brought over Sea by
borne	9	Past participle of bear. Have (a name, aspect, etc.) as one's or its own.	It is true that the Took family had long been pre-eminent; for the office of Thain had passed to them (from the Oldbucks) some centuries before, and the chief Took had *borne* that title ever since.
muster	9	To assemble troops as for display, orders, discharge, etc.; to gather (forces, men, etc.) for service; enlist, enroll.	The Thain was the master of the Shire-moot, and captain of the Shire-*muster* and the Hobbitry-in-arms, but as muster and moot were only held in times of emergency, which no longer occurred, the Thainship had ceased to be more than a nominal dignity.
haywards	10	An officer having the charge of hedges and fences, esp., to keep cattle from straying through; also a herdsman of cattle feeding on a common (common land where anyone could graze their cattle, sheep, etc.).	They had, of course, no uniforms (such things being quite unknown), only a feather in their caps; and they were in practice rather *haywards* than policemen, more concerned with the strayings of beasts than of people.
hoard	10	Treasure, an accumulation of something laid by for preservation or future use; a stock of store, as of money, treasure, arms.	The quest was successful, and the Dragon that guarded the *hoard* was destroyed.
wits	11	Understanding, intelligence.	In the end Bilbo won the game, more by luck (as it seemed) than by *wits; for he was stumped at last for a riddle to ask, and cried out, as his hand came upon the ring he lad picked up and forgotten: What have I got in my pocket?*
treachery	11	Deceiver, cheater; deceiving, perfidious (deliberately faithless), or faithless; violating faith or betraying trust; disloyal, traitorous; untrustworthy.	But after ages alone in the dark Gollum's heart was black, and *treachery* was in it.
too much of a good thing	21	An act, behavior, etc., spoilt by its excess.	There were some that shook their heads and thought this was *too much of a good thing* ; it seemed unfair that anyone should possess (apparently) perpetual youth as well as (reputedly) inexhaustible wealth.
dashed	21	To ruin or frustrate (hopes, plans, etc.); also, to depress or dispirit; confound or abash.	When Bilbo was ninety-nine he adopted Frodo as his heir, and brought him to live at Bag End; and the hopes of the Sackville-Bagginses were finally *dashed*.
agin	22 oed	Against. In an opposite position, direction, or course to; opposite to; facing.	'And no wonder they're so queer,' put in Daddy Twofoot (the Gaffer's next-door neighbour), 'if they live on the wrong side of the Brandwine River, and right agin the Old Forest.
warren	23	A habitation having passages like burrows. A building or collection or buildings containing many tenants in limited quarters. The word is associated with rabbits, rabbit holes, etc.	A regular *warren*, by all accounts.
tidy	23	Considerable.	'There's a *tidy* bit of money tucked away up there, I hear tell,' said a stranger, a visitor on business from Michel Delving in the Westfarthing.
prentice	24	An apprentice.	I'd not long come prentice to old Holman (him being my dad's cousin), but he had me up at Bag End helping him to keep folks from trampling and *trapessing* all over the garden while the sale was on.
trapessing	24	To walk in a slovenly manner, esp. with the dress trailing or draggled; walk aimlessly or idly about.	See text above for *prentice*.
nigh	24	Near in space, time, or relation; also, nearly or almost.	A day or two later a rumour (probably started by the knowledgeable Sam) was spread about that there were going to be fireworks - fireworks, what is more, such as had not been seen in the Shire for *nigh* on a century, not indeed since the Old Took died.
squib	25	A firework consisting of a tube or ball filled with powder which burns with a hissing noise terminated usually by a slight explosion; firecracker broken in the middle so that when lighted it burns with a hissing noise.	When the old man, helped by Bilbo and some Dwarves, had finished unloading, Bilbo gave a few pennies away; but not a single *squib* or *cracker* was forthcoming, to the disappointment of the onlookers.
Hence	25	From this source or origin.	*Hence* the excitement of the hobbit-children.
cracker	25	A firecracker; a small paper roll containing an explosive.	See text above for *squib*.
draught	26	The withdrawing, detachment, or selection of certain persons, animals, or things from a larger body for some special duty or purpose; the party so drawn off or selected; spec. in military use.	A *draught* of cooks, from every inn and eating-house for miles around, arrived to supplement the dwarves and other odd folk that were quartered at Bag End.
all and sundry	26	All, both collectively and individually. Literally - to one and all.	He gave away presents to *all and sundry* - the latter were those who went out again by a back way and came in again by the gate.
scintillating	27	To emit sparks; sparkle, flash.	There were rockets like a flight of *scintillating* birds singing with sweet voices.
phalanx	27	A compact or closely massed body of persons, animals, or things.	There were fountains of butterflies that flew glittering into the trees; there were pillars of coloured fires that rose and turned into eagles, or sailing ships, or a *phalanx* of flying swans; there was a red thunderstorm and a shower of yellow rain; there
embattled	27	Drawn up in battle array, marshalled for fight.	See text above for *phalanx*.
provender	28	food or provisions (of food for human beings, now humorous), as opposed to "fodder" - animal feed.	Bringing up young Hobbits took a lot of provender.
connexions	28	Connection; association; relationship; a person related to another or others, esp. by marriage or distant consanguinity (of the same blood).	There were many Bagginses and Boffins, and also many Tooks and Brandybucks; there were various Grubbs (relations of Bilbo Baggins' grandmother), and various Chubbs (*connexions* of his Took grandfather); and a selection of Burrowses, Bolgers, Bracegirdles,
score	30	A notch, groove, cut, or scratch; esp. a notch, cut or mark made in keeping an account or record; hence, a reckoning or account; a total	Together we score* one hundred and forty-four.*
din	31	A loud, confused noise; a continued loud or tumultuous sound; noisy clamor.	He walked briskly back to his hole, and stood for a moment listening with a smile to the *din* in the pavilion and to the sounds of merrymaking in other parts of the field.
manuscript	31	Written by hand, (not printed). As opposed to typescript (typed).	He then went onto his study, and from a large strong-box took out a bundle wrapped in old cloths, and a leather-bound *manuscript*; and also a large bulky envelope.
whither	35	Toward what place?	And *whither* then? I cannot say.
cracker-paper	36	(In full cracker bon-bon.) A bon-bon, or small parcel of sweets, etc., containing a fulminant, which explodes when pulled sharply at both ends.	People came and began (by orders) to clear away the pavilions and the tables and the chairs, and the spoons and knives and bottles and plates, and the lanterns, and the flowering shrubs in boxes, and the crumbs and *cracker-pape*r, the forgotten bags and gl
barrows	37	A flat, rectangular frame used by two or more persons for carrying a load, esp. such a frame with projecting shafts at each end for handles; also a modification of this, generally in the form of a shallow box with flaring sides supported in front by a whe	The road to the gate was blocked with *barrows* and handcarts.
foiled	38	A defeat, discomfiture, or baffling check; frustrate or baffle; also when used as a noun, the track of hunted game.	'*Foiled* again!' he said to his wife.
nooks	38	A corner, as in a room; any small recess; a secluded or sheltered place.	A little later Frodo came out of the study to see how things were going on and found her still about the place, investigating *nooks* and corers and tapping the floors.
throes	38	A violent spasm or pang (a sudden, brief sharp pain, or a spasm or severe twinge of pain); also, a sharp attack of emotion.	Her face looked as if she was in the *throes* of thinking out a really crushing parting remark; but all she found to say, turning round on the step, was: 'You'll live to regret it, young fellow!
		Book I, Chapter 2
		The Shadow of the Past
befallen	42	Happen or occur; to happen to.	So it went on, until his forties were running out, and his fiftieth birthday was drawing near: fifty was a number that he felt was somehow significant (or ominous); it was at any rate at that age that adventure had suddenly befallen Bilbo.
abroad	43	Away from home; in foreign lands; at large.	Trolls were abroad, no longer dull-witted, but cunning and armed with dreadful weapons.
warrant	44	To give a formal assurance, or guarantee or promise.	But I *warrant* you haven't seen them doing it; nor any one else in the Shire.'
moonshine	44	Show without substance or reality; empty show; foolish talk, ideas, etc.; nonsense.	If that's where you get your news from, you'll never want for *moonshine*.
essays	45	A testing or experiment, a trial specimen; a tentative effort; also an effort to perform or accomplish something; an attempt or endeavor.	The lesser rings were only *essays* in the craft before it was full-grown, and to the Elven -smiths they were but trifles - yet still to my mind dangerous for mortals.
hitherto	48	To or toward this place or point; also, up to this time, or until now. Similar to hither.	'To tell you the truth,' replied Gandalf, 'I believe that *hitherto* - *hitherto* , mark you - he has entirely overlooked the existence of hobbits.
breeches	48	A bifurcated garment worn by men (and by women for riding, etc.) covering the hips and thighs; also, trousers (colloq.).	Frodo took it from his *breeches*-pocket, where it was clasped to a chain that hung from his belt.
doomed	49	To destine or consign to some adverse fate or lot; also sometimes in neutral sense, to any fate, good or ill. For Tolkien, Death is a gift, so doom is a 'good fate.'	Nine for Mortal Men *doomed* to die,
fastness	50	A secure place; a stronghold.	The rumours that you have heard are true: he has indeed arisen again and left his hold in Mirkwood and returned to his ancient *fastness* in the Dark Tower of Mordor.
respite	50	Temporary cessation of labour, suffering, war, etc.; (an) interval of rest.	Always after a defeat and a *respite*, the Shadow takes another shape and grows again.'
wrought	50	Worked; elaborated, made.	If he recovers it, then he will command them all again, wherever they be, even the Three, and all that has been *wrought* with them will be laid bare, and he will be stronger than ever.
furtive	54	Obtained by theft or stolen; also, thieving or thievish, taken, done by stealth or in the manner of one wishing to escape observation, surreptitious; clandestine; secret.	'All the "great secrets" under the mountains had turned out to be just empty night: there was nothing more to find out, nothing worth doing, only nasty *furtive* eating and resentful remembering.
ken	57	Knowledge or cognizance; mental perception; also sight or view; look or gaze; esp. range of sight or vision.	It wandered off southwards and passed out of the Wood-elves' *ken*, and was lost.
perils	58	Trial, risk, danger; exposure to injury, loss, or destruction.	My friend returned out of the great *perils* bringing the miserable creature with him.
device	60	Something artistically designed; a decorative figure or design; a fanciful or ingenious writing or expression.	It now appeared plain and smooth, without mark or *device* that he could see.
dint	60	A depression made by a blow.	Even if you took it and struck it with a heavy sledge-hammer, it would make no *dint* in it.
profound	61	Deep or great depth; extending, situated, or originating far down, or far beneath the surface.	Frodo gazed fixedly at the red embers on the hearth, until they filled all his vision, and he seemed to be looking down into *profound* wells of fire.
flying	63	To move or pass swiftly; move with a start or rush, be forced or driven suddenly, to flee, run away, or take flight. Does not necessarily mean 'flying' in 'air.'	He suddenly realized that *flying* from the shire would mean more painful partings than merely saying farewell to the familiar comforts of Bag End.
		Book I, Chapter 3
		Three is Company
portents	65	An indication or omen of something about to happen, esp. something momentous or calamitous; a sign, esp. of coming evil; an ominous occurrence; also ominous significance.	Giants and other *portents* on the borders of the Shire were forgotten for more important matters: Mr. Frodo was selling Bag End, indeed he had already sold it - to the Sackville-Bagginses!
dishevelled	68	Disordered, ruffled, disorderly, untidy.	Bag End seemed sad and gloomy and *dishevelled*.
trotting	69	The gait of a horse, etc., when trotting; in general, a jogging gate between a walk and a run, quick, continuous movement.	Presently Sam appeared, *trotting* quickly and breathing hard; his heavy pack was hoisted high on his shoulders, and he had put on his head a tall shapeless fell bag, which he called a hat.
yonder	68	At, in or to that place over there.	He's moved to Bucklebury or some such place, away down *yonder*.
coppices	69	A wood or thicket of small trees or bushes; esp. one grown for periodical cutting.	They went in single file along hedgerows and the borders of *coppices,* and night fell dark about them.
cloven	70	Cleft; split; divided: as, cloven feet or hoofs (characteristic of oxen and other ruminants). Split to a certain depth, so as to give a double extremity.	After a while they plunged into a deeply *cloven* track between tall trees that rustled their dry leaves in the night.
bleary	71	Somewhat blear. Dim from a watery discharge or other superficial affection, as the eyes. To render the eyes dim, misty or indistinct.	Sam jumped up, looking rather *bleary*.
traffic	73	Transportation of goods for the purpose of trade, by sea or land; hence, trade between different countries or place, or commerce.	This way was not much used, being hardly fit for carts, and there was little *traffic* to the Woody End.
jogging	73	To walk or ride with a jolting pace, 'to move with small shocks like those of a low trot'; to move on at a heavy or laboured pace, to trudge; hence, to move on, go on, be off.	They had been *jogging* along again for an hour or more when Sam stopped a moment as if listening.
heed	74	To give attention to.	'I couldn't stay to hear more, sir, since you were waiting; and I didn't give much *heed* to it myself.
sup	75	A small quantity of liquid such as can be taken into the mouth at one time; a mouthful; a sip. A bite and a sup - a phrase meaning a little food and drink.	I should like a bite and a *sup*, but somehow I think we had better move on from here.
tossocky	75	A tuft or clump of growing grass or the like; abounding in tussocks.	But this hindered them; for the grass was thick and *tussocky, and the ground uneven, and the trees began to draw together into thickets*.
thickets	75	A thick or dense growth of shrubs, bushes, or small trees; a thick coppice.	See text above for *tussocky*.
abreast	75	Side by side, equally advanced.	They went *abreast* and in step, to keep up their spirits.
sloe	76	The small, sour, blackish fruit (drupe) of the blackthorn, or the shrub itself.	Apple, thorn, and nut, and sloe,
dell	76	A deep, natural hollow in land, often with wooded slopes; a small valley; a vale.	Sand and stone and pool and *dell*,
Fare	76	An expression of good wishes to a parting friend.	*Fare* you well! Fare you well!
bole	77	The stem or trunk of a tree; something similar to this in shape, as a pillar.	They had no time to find any hiding-place better than the general darkness under the trees; Sam and Pippin crouched behind a large tree-*bole*, while Frodo crept back a few yards towards the lane.
shade	77	A specter, phantom, or ghost, the spirit of one dead.	It looked like the black *shade* of a horse led by a smaller black shadow.
snuffling	77	To draw air into the nose for the purpose of smelling something. To inhale, perceive by snuffling; examine by smelling.	Frodo thought he heard the sound of *snuffling*.
wayside	78	Side of the way; the border or edge of the road or highway.	The hobbits sat in the shadow by the *wayside*.
hail	78	An exclamation of salutation or greeting.	'*Hail*, Frodo!' he cried.
tarrying	79	To delay; also to wait for, or await.	We are Exiles, and most of our kindred have long ago departed and we too are now only *tarrying* here a while, ere we return over the Great Sea.
brakes	80	A place overgrown with bushes, shrubs, or brambles, or with cane; a thicket.	The woods on either side became denser; the trees were now younger and thicker; and as the lane went lower, running down into a fold of the hills, there were many deep *brakes* of hazel on the rising slopes at either hand.
hillock	80	A little hill; a mound.	Pippin fell asleep, pillowed on a green *hillock*.
greensward	80	Turf green with grass.	At the south end of the *greensward* there was an opening.
boughs	80	A branch of a tree, esp. one of the larger or main branches.	There the green floor ran on into the wood, and formed a wide space like a hall, roofed by the *boughs* of trees.
fare	80	To be entertained as with food.	'This is poor *fare*,' they said to the hobbits; 'for we are lodging in the greenwood far from our halls.
draught	81	Drinking, or a drink or potion.	But he remembered that there was bread, surpassing the savor of a fair white loaf to one who is starving; and fruits sweet as wildberries and richer than the tended fruits of gardens; he drained a cup that was filled with a fragrant *draught*, cool as a cle
borne	81	Past participle of bear. To hold or support; carry.	After a while Pippin fell fast asleep, and was lifted up and *borne* away to a *bower* under the trees; there was laid upon a soft bed and slept the rest of the night away.
bower	81	A dwelling, esp. a rustic abode (poetic); a leafy shelter or recess.	See text above for *borne*.
tidings	81	Happenings, tidings, news; the announcement of an event or occurrence not previously made known.	The *tidings* were mostly sad and ominous: of gathering darkness, the wars of Men, and the flight of the Elves.
dogged	83	To follow or track like a dog; esp. with hostile intent.	My plan was to leave the Shire secretly, and make my way to Rivendell; but now my footsteps are *dogged*, before ever I get to Buckland.'
assail	83	To set upon with violence; attack; assault; beset.	I do not know the reason for your flight, and therefore I do not know by what means your pursuers will *assail* you.
forbodes	84	A forbidding, a prohibition, interdiction, prohibitory ordinance.	But my heart *forbodes* that, ere all is ended, you, Frodo son of Drogo, will know more of these *fell* things than Gildor Inglorion.
fell	84	Fierce or savage, cruel or ruthless; dreadful or terrible.	See text above for *forbodes*.
		Book I, Chapter 4
		A Short Cut to Mushrooms
briar	87	A prickly plant or shrub.	'Then if we are to toil through bog and *briar*, let's go now!'
brambles	88	Any rough, prickly shrub.	When they had struggled to the bottom of the bank, they found a stream running down form the hills behind in a deeply dug bed with steep slippery sides overhung with *brambles*.
woe	89	An exclamation of grief, distress, or lamentation; grievous distress, affliction, or trouble.	To heal my heart and drown my woe.
slot	90	The track or trail of a deer or other animal, as shown by the marks of the feet; hence the track, trace, or trail of anything	'One trouble after another!' said Frodo, looking nearly as much alarmed as if Pippin had declared the lane was the *slot* leading to a dragon's den.
varmint	91	An objectionable or troublesome person; a mischievous child.	"See, lads," he said, "next time this young *varmint* sets foot on my land, you can eat him.
baying	91	To bark, esp. with a deep, prolonged sound, as a hound in hunting.	Suddenly as they drew nearer a terrific *baying* and barking broke out, and a loud voice was heard shouting: 'Grip!, Fang! Wolf! Come on, lads!'
paces	91	A single step as in walking; a linear measure commonly 2 1/2 feet.	Frodo and Sam stopped dead, but Pippin walked on a few *paces*.
pelting	91	To beat the ground with rapid steps; to move at a vigorous and rapid pace - running at a high speed.	The gate opened and three huge dogs came *pelting* out into the lane, and dashed towards the travellers, barking fiercely.
swathed	96	To wrap up closely or fully; to wrap with swathes of some material; to infold or envelop, as wrappings.	He was riding a pony, and a scarf was *swathed* round his neck and over his chin to keep out the fog.
worriting	96	Provincial form of worry.	Mrs. Maggot will be *worriting* with the night getting thick.'
put this up	96	To place in a receptacle for safe keeping; to stow away; to put into a bag, pocket, box, or the like; to lay aside out of use, put by (somewhat arch.); to lay up in store, lay by for future use (now rare or obs.); to pack up, do up, make up into a parcel,	. 'Mrs. Maggot *put this up* for Mr. Baggins, with her compliments.'
		Book I, Chapter 5
		A Conspiracy Unmasked
bollards	97	Nautical. A post on which hawsers (a small cable or large rope used in wrapping, mooring, towing, etc.) are made fast.	The white *bollards* near the water's edge glimmered in the light of two lamps on high posts.
copper	100	A vessel made of copper, esp. a large boiler as for cooking on shipboard.	In that room were three tubs, and a *copper* full of boiling water.
wallowing	100	To roll or tumble about as an animal or person on the ground, a vessel on the waves.	Snatches of competing songs came from the bathroom mixed with the sound of splashing and *wallowing*.
Lawks	101	A vulgar substitute for Lord in exclamatory uses.	'Lawks!' said Merry, looking in.
wrath	101	Angry; strong, stern or fierce anger.	A fact which partly explains young Frodo's long expeditions to the renowned fields of the Marish, and the *wrath* of the injured Maggot.
close	101	To shut in or surround on all sides.	'Cousin Frodo has been very *close*,' said Pippin.
haunts	102	To visit (a place, or a person) frequently or habitually with manifested presence.	You have obviously been planning to go and saying farewell to all your *haunts* all this year since April.
stores	105	The supply or stock of necessities stored up, as for future use; supplies of food, clothing, etc; a supply of anything.	There are six ponies in a stable across the fields; *stores* and *tackle* are all packed, except for a few extra clothes, and the perishable food.'
tackle	105	Equipment, apparatus, or gear in general.	See text above for *stores*.
fit	106	An inclination.	'The Brandybucks go in - occasionally when the *fit* takes them.
		Book I, Chapter 6
		The Old Forest
sluggard	108	One who is habitually inactive or slothful.	Wake that *sluggard* Fatty!
spinney	108	A thicket; a small wood with undergrowth, esp. one preserved for sheltering game-birds	Merry went in front leading a laden pony, and took his way along a path that went through a *spinney* behind the house, and then cut across several fields.
clang	109	To give out a loud resonant sound, as when metal is struck.	It shut with a *clang*, and the lock clicked.
bogey	109	A fearsome specter; a hobgoblin; any object of dread; specif. the devil. An object of terror or dread	'If you mean the old *bogey*-stories Fatty's nurses used to tell him, about goblins and wolves and things of that sort, I should say no.
enmity	110	A feeling or condition of hostility; hatred; ill-will; animosity; antagonism; variance.	For the moment there was no whispering or movement among the branches; but they all got an uncomfortable feeling they were being watched with disapproval, deepening to dislike and even *enmity*.
clambered	114	To climb, using both feet and hands; climb with effort or difficulty.	Each time they *clambered* out, the trees seemed deeper and darker; and always to the left and upwards it was most difficult to find a way, and they were forced to the right and downwards.
rills	115	A small stream; a brook; a rivulet.	Here and there it passed over other *rills*, running down gullies into the Withywindle out of the higher forest-lands, and at these points there were tree-trunks or bundles of brushwood laid carefully across.
hoary	116	Gray haired or white-haired, as persons; gray or white with age, as the hair; hence ancient or venerable.	He lifted his heavy eyes and saw leaning over him a huge willow-tree, old and *hoary*.
snick	117	To cause to make a clicking sound; snap. To make a slight sharp sound.	One was a splash of something heavy falling into the water; the other was a noise like the *snick* of a lock when a door quietly closes fast.
chink	117	A crack, cleft or fissure; a narrow opening.	The crack by which he had laid himself had closed together, so that not a *chink* could be seen.
scored	118	To produce by cutting, marking, etc. as marks, or figures; also to make notches, cuts, marks, or lines on something.	Little fingers of fire licked against the dry *scored* rind of the ancient tree and scorched it.
nonsense-wor ds	118	A word which has no acceptable meaning.	Suddenly out of a long string of *nonsense-words* (or so they seemed) the voice rose up loud and clear and burst into this song:
smote	120	Preterit of smite. To strike or hit hard, as with the hand, a stick or weapon, etc., or as the hand or a weapon does.	Tom sprang away, and breaking off a hanging branch *smote* the side of the willow with it.
beckoning	120	To signal, summon, or direct by a gesture of the head or hand.	With that he picked up his lilies, and then with a *beckoning* wave of his hand went hopping and dancing along the path eastward, still singing loudly and nonsensically.
		Book I, Chapter 7
		In the House of Tom Bombadil
keen	124	Iintense, as feeling, desire.	He stood as he had at times stood enchanted by fair elven-voices; but the spell that was now laid upon him was different: less *keen* and lofty was the delight, but deeper and nearer to mortal heart; marvellous and yet not strange.
girdle	125	A belt, cord, sash or the like, worn about the waist.	'Here's my Goldberry clothed all in silver-green with flowers in her *girdle*!
penthouse	125	A shed with a sloping roof, or a sloping roof, projecting from a wall or the side of a building; as to shelter a door; any roof like shelter or overhanging part.	They came to a low room with a sloping roof (a *penthouse*, it seemed, built on to the north end of the house).
yammered	127	Mourn, complain, sad, mournful; to lament, wail, whine, the act of yammering; a loud or persistent talk.	The voices wailed and the wolves *yammered*.
fretting	127	A gnawing or wearing away; gusty, as wind.	Suddenly he woke, or thought he had waked, and yet still heard in the darkness the sound that had disturbed his dream: tip-tap, squeak: the noise was like branches *fretting* in the wind, twig-fingers scraping wall and window: creak, creak, creak.
plumes	128	A long streamer of smoke, vapor, or other fluid rising from a localized source in the same of different fluid and spreading out as it travels.	There was a fold or channel where the mist was broken into many *plumes* and billows ; the valley of the Withywindle.
billows	128	A great wave or surge of the sea; any wave.	See text above for *plumes*.
usurpers	131	To seize and hold (an office or position, power, etc.) by force or without right. Seizing or holding a place of power without right.	Tom's words laid bare the hearts of the trees and their thoughts, which were often dark and strange, and filled with a hatred of things that go free upon the earth, gnawing, biting, breaking, hacking, burning: destroyers and *usurpers*.
bleating	131	To cry as a sheep, goat or calf; make a similar sound. The cry of sheep.	Sheep were *bleating* in flocks.
biers	131	A framework on which a corpse (or the coffin) is laid before burial or carried to the grave.	Gold was piled on the *biers* of dead kings and queens; and the mounds covered them, and the stone doors were shut; and the grass grew over all.
sires	131	A father or forefather.	When they caught his words again they found that he had now wandered into strange regions beyond their memory and beyond their waking thought, into times when the world was wider, and the seas flowed straight to the western shore; and still on and back To
draught	132	Old form of draft. A current of air.	She held a candle, shielding its flame from the *draught* with her hand; and the light flowed through it, like sunlight through a white shell.
caperings	132	To leap or skip about in a sprightly manner; prance.	Then Tom and Goldberry set the table; and the hobbits sat half in wonder and half in laughter: so fair was the grace of Goldberry and so merry and odd the *caperings* of Tom.
boards	132	A table, esp. to serve food on.	The *boards* blazed with candles, white and yellow.
mirth	133	Joy; delight.	But after a time their hearts and spirit rose high again, and their voices rang out in *mirth* and laughter.
aught	134	Anything whatever; but also means possession, property.	'I am no weather-master,' he said; 'nor is *aught* that goes on two legs.'
Wights	134	A living being or creature; also, a supernatural or unearthly being.	Don't you go a-meddling with old stone or cold *Wights* or prying in their houses, unless you be strong folk with hearts that never falter!'
falter	134	To hesitate of waver in action, purpose, etc.; begin to give way, as resolution, courage, hopes, powers, etc.	See text above for *Wights*.
		Book I, Chapter 8
		Fog on the Barrow-downs
bade	135	Past tense of bid, ask; command.	They bowed, but with the wave of her arm she *bade* them look round; and they looked out from the hill-top over lands under the morning.
downs	136	A bare, level highland. An open expanse of elevated land; spec., in pl., the treeless undulating chalk uplands of the south and south-east of England, serving chiefly for pasturage.	Northward beyond the dwindling *downs* the land ran away in flats and swellings of grey and green and pale earth-colours, until it faded into a featureless and shadowy distance.
hem	136	The edge, border or margin of anything.	Eastward the Barrow-downs rose, ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into a guess: it was no more than a guess of blue and a remote white glimmer blending with the *hem* of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of memory and old ta
draught	136	To draw or pull.	They took a deep *draught* of the air, and felt that a skip and a few stout strides would bear them wherever they wished.
mould	137	Loose, friable earth, esp. such as is rich in organic matter and favorable to the growth of plants.	When they caught a glimpse of the country westward the distant Forest seemed to be smoking, as if the fallen rain was steaming up again from leaf and root and *mould*.
file	138	Row. To march or move in a file, one after another; a line of persons or things arranged one behind the other.	Soon they were leading their ponies in a single *file* over the rim and down the long northward slope of the hill, down into a foggy sea.
barrow	139	A mound of earth or stones raised over a tomb.	A great *barrow* stood there.
breast	140	The front of the thorax of either sex; the chest.	He dared not move, but lay as he found himself: flat on his back upon a cold stone with his hands on his *breast*.
circlets	140	A ring; a ring-shaped ornament for the head.	On their heads were *circlets*, gold chains were about their waists, and on their fingers were many rings.
wavered	141	To exhibit doubt or indecision; to change or vary; to fluctuate or vacillate (between); to falter in resolution or allegiance; to show signs of giving way.	He *wavered*, groping in his pocket, and then fought with himself again; and as he did so the arm crept nearer.
hewed	141	To strike forcible with cutting tool; cut with a blow or blows of a sharp instrument, as an axe, sword, etc.	With what strength he had he *hewed* at the crawling arm near the wrist, and the hand broke off; but at the same moment the sword splintered up to the hilt.
hilt	141	The handle of a sword or dagger.	See text above for hewed.
hue	142	Appearance; color; complexion, also, color of the skin.	They did not stir, but the sickly *hue* had left them.
worsted	143	To give (one) the worst or a contest or struggle; defeat; beat.	'Of course, I remember!' he said. 'The men of Carn Dûm came on us at night, and we were *worsted*.
keen	145	Sharp, or so shaped as to cut or pierce substances readily. Also, to wail in lamentation for the dead; to mourn with wailing, as one dead; a wailing lament for the dead.	For each of the hobbits he chose a dagger, long, leaf-shaped, and *keen, of marvelous workmanship, damasked* with serpent-forms in red and gold.
damasked	145	To ornament, or form designs on (metal, as steel), as by inlaying with gold, etc., or by etching; also, to produce a wavy or variegated pattern on steel, like that of the sword-blades of Damascus steel. To damascene by inlaying, to adorn with elaborate si	See text above for *keen*.
furlongs	146	A measure of length equal to the eighth part of a mile (equivalent to 40 rods, 220 yards, or 201.17m). 440 to 660 feet.	They galloped their ponies over the last *furlongs*, and halted under the long shadows of the trees.
		Book I, Chapter 9
		At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
uncouth	150	Uncultured, strange.	The Shire-hobbits referred to those of Bree, and to any others that lived beyond the borders, as Outsiders, and took very little interest in them, considering them dull and *uncouth*.
babel	152	A scene of noise and confusion.	'Half a minute, it you please!' shouted the man over his shoulder, and vanished into a *babel* of voices and a cloud of smoke.
tankard	156	A large drinking vessel.	He had a tall *tankard* in front of him, and was smoking a long-stemmed pipe curiously carved.
shanks	156	That part of the leg in man between the knee and the ankle. The legs in general.	Goes about at a great pace on his long *shanks*; though he don't tell nobody what cause he has to hurry.
ostler	158	An innkeeper; also; one who cares for horses at an inn; any person who takes care of horses; a groom.	The *ostler* has a *tipsy* cat
tipsy	158	Affected by liquor so as to stagger slightly or be without full control of the movements and faculties; intoxicated, but not to complete drunkenness or stupor.	See text above for ostler.
neigh	159	To utter the cry of a horse; whinny. The cry of a horse.	They neigh* and champ their silver bits;*
champ	159	To crush with the teeth and chew vigorously or noisily; munch; also to bite upon, esp. impatiently, as a horse its bit.	See text above for *neigh*.
crocks	162	An earthen pot, jar or other vessel; earthenware.	Frightening my customers and breaking up my *crocks* with your acrobatics!'
amiss	163	At fault; wrong; at variance with right, propriety, one's wishes, etc. A fault or wrong.	I hope that you'll not take it *amiss*.
league	163	A covenant or compact made between persons, parties, states, etc., for the maintenance or promotion of common interests or for mutual assistance or service.	Were these people all in *league* against him?
		Book I, Chapter 10
		Strider
faggot	164	A bundle or sticks, twigs, or small branches of trees bound together, used for fuel.	It was not until they had puffed up the embers into a blaze and thrown on a couple of *faggots* that they discovered Strider had come with them.
press	165	To bear upon; subject to pressure; to urge or insist on; make earnest request for.	Why did he *press* us to join the company?
swarthy	166	Of a swart or blackish in color or hue, dark colored esp. as in skin, complexion.	You must have noticed him among the company: a *swarthy* sneering fellow.
bid	167	To ask earnestly; wish or say, ask; command; direct.	'I've come to *bid* you good night,' said the landlord, putting the candles on the table.
pate	170	The head; esp., the crown or top of the head; also, the head as the seat of intellect; hence, brains; sometimes a person with brains. Now usually humorous.	Even our Nob has been doing some guessing in his slow *pate;* and there are others in Bree quicker in the uptake than he is.'
worthies	175	Persons of eminent worth or merit; having worth; estimable, as a person.	The *worthies* of Bree will be discussing it a hundred years *hence*.'
hence	175	From this time onward, henceforth.	See text above for *worthies*.
		Book I, Chapter 11
		A Knife in the Dark
rent	176	An opening made by rending or tearing; a tear, as in a garment; a split, break, or fissure.	It *rent* the night like fire on a hill-top.
bolsters	179	A pillow, esp. a long under-pillow for a bed, a cushion or pad.	When they saw him they were glad that they had taken his advise: the windows had been forced open and were swinging, and the curtains were flapping; the beds were tossed about, and the *bolsters* slashed and flung upon the floor; the brown mat was torn to p
draught	179	Pulling; draft; a pull or haul.	As for other animals, horses or ponies for *draught* or what not, there are very few of them in Bree, and they won't be for sale.
rout	179	To bring or get in poking about, searching, etc.; to fetch or get from a place, by vigorous action.	I'll *rout* out Bob and send him round as soon as may be.'
sallow	181	Of as yellowish hue or complexion (rather than the normal healthy or ruddy color).	In one of the windows he caught a glimpse of a *sallow* face with sly, slanting eyes; but it vanished at once.
warbling	183	To sing with trills, quavers, melodic embellishments, in a free and joyous manner.	The ground now became damp, and in places boggy and here and there they came upon pools, and wide stretches of reeds and rushes filled with the *warbling* of little hidden birds.
midges	183	Any of numerous small or minute dipterous insects, esp. species of the family *Chironomidae* , certain of which are extremely troublesome on account of their bites; a gnat.	The flies began to torment them, and the air was full of clouds of tiny *midges* that crept up their sleeves and breeches and into their hair.
waxing	185	To increase in extent or size; of the moon, to undergo the periodical increase in the extent of its illuminated portion before the full (as opposed to wane).	The moon was *waxing*, and in the early night-hours a cold grey light lay on the land.
commons	185	Food provided at a common table; as in colleges; hence food or provisions in general. Short commons -small meals. Of things: not coming up to some standard of measure or amount; inadequate in quantity; insufficient rations, scant fare.	Already they were getting used to much walking on short commons - shorter at any rate than what in the Shire they would have thought barely enough to keep them on their legs.
wraith	185	An apparition of a living person, or of one supposed to be living, popularly reputed to portend or indicate his death; in general, a visible spirit; a ghost.	I hope the thinning process will not go on indefinitely, or I shall become a *wraith*.'
clefts	185	A space or opening made by cleavage; a fissure; a crevice; a split or crack.	They made an undulating ridge, often rising almost to a thousand feet, and here and there falling again to low *clefts* or passes leading into the eastern land beyond.
cairn	187	Any of a certain monumental pile of stones erected by early inhabitants of Great Britain. A heap of stones set up as a landmark.	But in the centre a *cairn* of broken stones had been piled.
fortnight	188	The space of fourteen nights and days, two weeks.	We have at least a *fortnight's* journey before us, for I do not think we shall be able to use the road.'
aright	192	Rightly, correctly, properly.	'I will tell you the tale of Tinúviel,' said Strider, 'in brief - for it is a long tale of which the end is not known; and there are none now, except Elrond, that remember it *aright* as it was told of old.
umbels	192	An umbrella shaped plant.	The hemlock-umbels* tall and fair,*
raiment	192	Clothing; apparel; attire.	And in her raiment* glimmering.*
mantle	192	A loose, sleeveless cloak; hence, something that covers, envelops, or conceals.	Upon her mantle* and her sleeves,*
oft	192	Often; frequently.	He heard there oft* the flying sound*
wavering	192	To sway to and fro.	In the wintry woodland wavering.
darkling	195	In the dark; in darkness. Being or occurring in the dark; dark; darksome; obscure.	Through halls of iron and darkling* door*,
morrowless	195	Not subject to time; without end.	And woods of nightshade morrowless.
confines	195	A border or frontier; a region; a place of confinement.	But she chose mortality, and to die from the world, so that she might follow him; and it is sung that they met again beyond the Sundering Seas, and after a brief time walking alive once more in the green woods, together they passed, long ago, beyond the c
durstn't	196	Dare not.	I *durstn't* go outside this dell for any money; I felt that something was creeping up the slope.'
haggard	197	Wild or untamed; also, wild looking, as from prolonged suffering, anxiety, exertion, want, etc.	In their white faces burned keen and merciless eyes; under their mantles were long grey robes; upon their grey hairs were helms of silver; in their *haggard* hands were swords of steel.
swooned	197	Faint; loose consciousness as from physical weakness.	Even as he *swooned* he caught, as through a swirling mist, a glimpse of Strider leaping out of the darkness with a flaming brand of wood in either hand.
fells	201	A stretch of elevated waste land or pasture; a down.	It flows down out of the Ettenmoors, the troll-*fells* north of Rivendell, and joins the Loudwater away in the South.
sullen	202	Solitary.	Here Strider turned aside, and soon they were lost in a sombre country of dark trees winding among the feet of *sullen* hills.
dales	203	A vale or valley.	As long as they could they avoided climbing for Frodo's sake, and because it was in fact difficult to find any way up out of the narrow *dales*.
beset	205	To set, stud, or surround with something; also to surround as in a siege or attack, hem in; attack on all sides; assail.	Whatever danger may *beset* it, the Road is our only way to the Ford.'
clippety-clippe ly-clip.	211	The sound made by a horse's hoofs, or a noise resembling this.	They were going fast, with a light *clippety-clippely-clip.*
headstall	211	That part of the bridle or halter which encompasses the head.	In the dusk its *headstall* flickered and flashed, as if it were studded with gems like living stars.
steeds	212	A stud-horse or stallion; a high spirited horse; in general, a horse, esp. one for riding. ' In ME. and early mod. Eng., a high-mettled horse used on state occasions, in war, or in the lists; a great horse, as distinguished from a palfrey.	His pace is light and smooth; and if danger presses too near, he will bear you away with a speed that even the black *steeds* of the enemy cannot rival.'
hobbled	214	To move unsteadily; wabble; also, to walk lamely; limp.	There were many miles yet to go between them and the Ford, and they *hobbled* forward at the best pace they could manage.
quailed	215	To decline in strength or vigor, wither, or fade, as living beings, plants, etc; to become faint or feeble.	There were Nine Riders at the water's edge below, and Frodo's spirit *quailed* before the threat of their uplifted faces.
cleave	216	To stick or adhere; cling or hold fast.	He felt his tongue *cleave* to his mouth, and his heart labouring.


	Copyright © 2004-2010 by Oliver Loo