Word |
Page 1st Used |
Meaning as used in The Lord of the Rings |
Context of use, sentence used in |
| |
|
Book IV, Chapter 1 |
|
| |
|
The Taming of Sméagol |
|
nowt |
612 |
A clumsy or stupid person. |
You're nowt but a ninnyhammer, Sam Gamgee: that's what the Gaffer said
to me often enough, it being a word of his. |
ninnyhammer |
612 |
Same as ninny. A fool; simpleton. |
See text above for nowt. |
ells |
613 |
Orig. meaning 'arm,' 'forearm'. A measure of length, now little used, varying in different
countries: in England equivalent to 45 inches. 30 ells = 112.5 feet or 34.29 meters. |
Sam paid it out slowly, measuring it with his arms: 'Five, ten, twenty, thirty ells,
more or less,' he said. |
fend |
614 |
To support or maintain. |
I'll lower you, and you need do no more than use your feet and hands to fend
yourself off the rock. |
haste |
617 |
Eager or quickened effort to do something with speed. |
'Ach, sss! Cautious, my precious! More haste, less speed. |
fawning |
623 |
To show fondness by crouching, wagging the tail, licking the hand, etc. (said esp. of dogs);
hence, to court notice or favor by servile demeanor, act servilely. |
Gollum raised himself and began pawing at Frodo, fawning at his knees. |
cur |
623 |
Dog; a snarling, worthless, or outcast dog; hence a low, despicable fellow. |
At once Gollum got up and began prancing about, like a whipped cur
whose master had patted it. |
caper |
623 |
To leap or skip about in a springly manner; prance. A frolicsome leap or spring. |
He would crackle with laughter and caper, if any jest was made, or even if Frodo
spoke kindly to him, and weep if Frodo rebuked him. |
| |
|
Book IV, Chapter 2 |
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| |
|
The Passage of the Marshes |
|
mires |
625 |
A piece of wet, swampy ground. |
There was running water at the bottom: it was in fact the bed of one of the many small rivers that
trickled down form the hills to feed the stagnant pools and mires beyond. |
fair |
626 |
Clearly, legibly. |
'He looks fair famished. |
dainty |
626 |
Overnice, or too particular. |
Not too dainty
to try what hobbit tastes like, if there ain't no fish, I'll wager - supposing as he could catch us napping. |
dry |
627 |
Without mortar. |
It was not much more than a tall man's height now, and at its base there were wide flat shelves of
dry stone; the water ran in a channel on the other side. |
unthrottled |
628 |
Not throttled. Throttle: to stop the breath of by compressing the throat; strangle; sometimes, to
choke or suffocate in any way. |
They were at any rate both alive and unthrottled. |
noisome |
630 |
Annoying, unpleasant, objectionable (now rare); also, offensive or disgusting as to physical
conditions, and often as to odor. |
Mists curled and smoked from dark and noisome pools. |
reeks |
632 |
Smoke, vapor or steam emitted or exhaled, issue, rise. |
It was already day, a windless and sullen morning, and the marsh-reeks
lay in heavy banks. |
craning |
635 |
To stretch the neck as a crane does; also, to stop and look before a dangerous leap in hunting;
hence, to hesitate at danger, difficulty, etc. |
He went on again, but his uneasiness grew, and every now and again he stood up to his full height,
craning his neck eastward and southward. |
sump |
638 |
A swamp, bog, or muddy pool (now provincial English); also, a pit, well, or the like in which
water or other liquid is collected. |
It was cold and dead, and a foul sump of oily many-coloured ooze lay at its bottom.
|
| |
|
Book IV, Chapter 3 |
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| |
|
The Black Gate is Closed |
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amidmost |
642 |
In the very middle, or center. |
But as these ranges approached one another, being indeed but parts of one great wall about the
mournful plains of Lithlad and of Gorgoroth, and the bitter inland sea of Núrnen amidmost, they swung out long arms northward; and between these arms there was |
defile |
642 |
A narrow passage through which troops can pass only in narrow columns; any narrow passage, as
between mountains. |
See text above for amidmost. |
wiles |
649 |
A trick, artifice, or stratagem; an artful of beguiling procedure. To trick, or deceive; also, to
beguile, entice, or lure (away, from, into, etc.). |
But even if Gollum could be trusted on this point, Frodo did not forget the wiles
of the enemy. |
pinion |
650 |
The distal or terminal segment of a bird's wing; hence, the wing of a bird, or the flight feathers
collectively. Poetic. |
They were very small to look at, yet as he knew, somehow, that they were huge, with a vast stretch
of pinion, flying at a great height. |
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|
Book IV, Chapter 4 |
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| |
|
Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit |
|
ling |
656 |
The common heather, Calluna vulgaris. |
Beyond it were slopes covered with sombre trees like dark clouds, but all about them lay a tumbled
heathland, grown with ling and broom and cornel, and other shrubs that they did not know. |
broom |
656 |
Any of the shrubby fabaceous plants of the genus Cytisus, common in western Europe, which grows on
uncultivated ground and has long, slender branches bearing yellow flowers. |
See text above for ling. |
cornel |
656 |
Any of the trees or shrubs, or rarely herbs, constituting the genus Cornus, as C. Sanguinea, the
European dogwood, or C. florida, the flowering dogwood of America. |
See text above for ling. |
dryad |
657 |
A wood-nymph; a nymph supposed to reside in a tree; also, a forest-tree, a denizen (an inhabitant)
of the woods; also, a plant or animal believed to have been originally introduced by human agency into a country or district, but which now maintains itself |
Ithilien, the garden of Gondor now desolate kept still a dishevelled dryad
loveliness. |
tamarisk |
657 |
A plant of the old-world tropical genus Tamarix, esp. T. gallica, native in the Mediterranean
region, an ornamental shrub or small tree with slender, feathery branches. |
Many great trees grew there, planted long ago, falling into untended age amid a riot of careless
descendants; and groves and thickets there were of tamarisk and pungent terebinth, of olive and of bay; and there were junipers and myrtles; and thymes that g |
terebinth |
657 |
A moderate sized anacardiaceous tree, Pistacia terebinthus, of the Mediterranean regions, having
pinnate leaves and panicles of inconspicuous flowers, and yielding Chian (of or pertaining to Chios, an island in the Aegean Sea) turpentine. |
See text above for tamarisk. |
grots |
657 |
A grotto, a cave or cavern. |
The grots and rocky walls were already starred with saxifrages and
stonecrops. |
saxifrages |
657 |
Any of the plants, mostly perennial herbs, constituting the genus Saxifraga, many of which grow
wild in the clefts of rocks, others being cultivated for their flowers; also, any of various related or similar plants. |
See text above for grots. |
stonecrops |
657 |
A moss-like crassulaceous herb, a species of sedum, Sedum acre, with small, fleshy leaves and
yellow flowers, frequently growing upon rocks and walls; any plant of the genus Sedum; any of various plants of related genera. |
See text above for grots. |
asphodel |
657 |
Any of various liliaceous plants of the genera Asphodelus and Asphodeline, native in
southern Europe, with white or yellow flowers; also, a flower or plant, said to be Asphodeline lutea, associated by the ancient Greeks with the dead and the Elysian field |
Primeroles and anemones were awake in the filbert-brakes; and asphodel
and many lily-flowers nodded that half-opened heads in the grass: deep green grass beside the pools, where falling streams halted in cool hollows on their journey down to Anduin. |
wantonly |
658 |
Reckless or disrespectful of right, justice, etc; maliciously or unjustifiably. |
They had not come very far from the road, and yet even in so short a space they had seen scars of
the old wars, and the newer wounds made by the Orcs and other foul servants of the Dark Lord: a pit of uncovered filth and refuse; trees hewn down wantonly a |
rude |
658 |
Raw, rough, uncultivated; without artistic elegance, or a primitive crudeness or simplicity. |
See text above for wantonly. |
eglantine |
658 |
The sweetbrier, sometimes the Austrian brier; formerly, the honeysuckle or some, similar plant.
|
The swift growth of the wild briar and eglantine
and trailing clematis was already drawing a veil over this place of dreadful feast and slaughter; but it was not ancient. |
routed |
658 |
To root, as swine; hence, to poke, search, or rummage. To bring or get out in poking about,
searching, etc. |
He hurried back to his companions, but he said nothing: the bones were best left in peace and not
pawed and routed by Gollum. |
shun |
658 |
To shrink in horror or loathing, or abhor; hence, to keep away from. |
A good day for strolling on their way along the groves and glades of Ithilien; but though Orcs may
shun the sunlight, there were too many places here where they could lie hid and watch; and other evil eyes were abroad: Sauron had many servants. |
coneys |
660 |
Cony. A rabbit. |
If I can get these coneys cooked, I'm going to wake him up.' |
gangrel |
664 |
A vagabond or vagrant; also, a lank, loosely built person. |
He is only a wretched gangrel creature, but I have him under my care for a while.
|
dappling |
665 |
A spot or small blotch of coloring; mottled marking, as of an animal's skin or coat. |
Close by, just under the dappling
shadow of the dark bay-trees, two men remained on guard. |
forayers |
665 |
To ravage in search of forage or booty; pillage. To make a raid, forage; pillage. |
From such men the Lord Denethor chose his forayers, who crossed the Anduin secretly
(how or where, they would not say) to harry to Orcs and other enemies that roamed between the Ephel Dúath and the river. |
harry |
665 |
Ravage as an army does. To ravage as in war; devastate, pillage, despoil; also to harass (persons)
by repeated attacks, forced extractions, rapacious demands, etc.; in general, to harass, trouble, torment, or worry. To make harassing incursions. |
See text above for forayers. |
smithying |
667 |
To make or forge in or as in a smithy; to work as a smith. |
`It sounds like a hundred blacksmiths all smithying together,' said Sam to Frodo.
|
plaits |
667 |
A braid, as of hair or straw. |
His scarlet robes were tattered, his corslet of overlapping brazen plates was rent and hewn, his
black plaits of hair braided with gold and were drenched with blood. |
dinning |
667 |
A loud, confused noise; a continued loud or tumultuous sound; noisy clamor. |
And then a great thudding and bumping, like huge rams dinning on the ground. |
ware |
667 |
To be on one's guard; look out; beware: used esp. in the imperative: as, 'Ware!' Watchful, wary,
cautious; also, aware of conscious. |
'Ware! Ware!' cried Damrod to his companion. |
trappings |
669 |
A cloth or covering for a horse, etc., esp. when ornamental in character, or a comparison.
Articles of equipment or dress, esp. of an ornamental character. |
His trappings of scarlet and gold flapped about him in wild tatters. |
| |
|
Book IV, Chapter 5 |
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| |
|
The Window on the West |
|
lapped |
673 |
To fold over or about something; wrap or wind around something; also, to infold or inwrap in
something, hence, to surround or envelop; also, to lay (something) partly over something underneath. |
It waded deep, as if it were heavily burdened, and it seemed to me as it passed under my gaze that
it was almost filled with clear water, from which came the light; and lapped in the water a warrior lay asleep. |
hence |
675 |
From here, away from this place, or to a distance. |
Yet we must move hence without more delay.' |
stead |
677 |
The proper or appointed place of a person or thing; hence, the place or room of a person or
thing as occupied by a successor or substitute. |
For we reckon back our line to Mardil, the good steward, who ruled in the king's stead
when he went away to war. |
writ |
677 |
Something written, or a writing. |
We in the house of Denethor know much ancient lore by long tradition, and there are moreover in
our treasuries many things preserved: books and tablets writ on withered parchments, yea, and on stone, and on leaves of silver and of gold, in divers characte |
divers |
677 |
Different in kind, character, etc.; unlike; also, of various kinds of forms; multiform. |
See text above to writ. |
flitting |
679 |
To move lightly and swiftly; to shift position; move; to fly, dart or skim along. |
He soon became aware also that though they walked alone, there were many men close at hand: not
only Damrod and Mablung flitting in and out of the shadows ahead, but others on either side, all making their swift secret way to some appointed place. |
ilex |
679 |
The holm-oak; also, any tree or shrub of the aquifoliaceous genus Ilex; holly. |
Then they turned aside again, to the right, and came quickly to a small river in a narrow gorge;
it was that same stream that trickled far above out of the round pool, now grown to a swift torrent, leaping down over many stones in a deep-cloven bed, overh |
victuals |
681 |
Of or for sustenance. Food or provisions, usually for human beings. |
As their eyes grew accustomed to the gloom the hobbits saw that the cave was larger than they
guessed and was filled with great store of arms and victuals. |
trestles |
681 |
A frame used as a support, consisting typically of a horizontal beam or bar fixed at each end to a
pair of spreading legs; sometimes, the whole frame which supports the top of a table. |
Light tables were taken from the walls and set up on trestles and laden with gear.
|
broached |
682 |
To pierce as with a spit; tap (a cask, etc.); draw (liquor, etc.) as by tapping; break into for
the purpose of taking out something. |
A cask of wine was broached. |
dotage |
684 |
The condition of one who dotes; feebleness of mind, esp. resulting form old age; senility. |
Yet even so it was in Gondor that brought about its own decay, falling by degrees info dotage
, and thinking that the enemy was asleep, who was only banished not destroyed. |
still |
684 |
Remaining in place or at rest; motionless, stationary. |
'Death was ever present, because the Númenoreans still, as they had in their old
kingdom, and so lost it, hungered after endless life unchanging. |
aghast |
688 |
Struck with horror and amazement; filled with consternation. |
`Sam! ' cried Frodo aghast. |
wayworn |
689 |
Worn or wearied by travel. |
And you are far from home and wayworn. |
dissemble |
689 |
To conceal the real nature of; to let pass unnoticed; to give a false impression; conceal one's
motives. Etc., under some pretense. |
He could dissemble and resist no longer. |
| |
|
Book IV, Chapter 6 |
|
| |
|
The Forbidden Pool |
|
dank |
696 |
Wet; oozy; unpleasantly moist or humid; damp. |
A very miserable creature, he looked, dripping and dank, smelling of fish (he still
clutched one in his hand); his sparse locks were hanging like rank weed over his bony brows, his nose was snivelling. |
snivelling |
696 |
To run at the nose; also, to draw up mucus audibly through the nose; to affect a tearful state;
whine. |
entreat |
697 |
To ask earnestly for; also, to persuade be entreaty; to make an earnest request or petition. |
Then I will entreat him to confirm what I have done and to make it lifelong. |
troth |
699 |
Faithfulness; fidelity, or loyalty; also, one's word or promise; to plight one's troth or word to;
engage by a contract. |
For it seems less evil to counsel another man to break troth
than to do so oneself, especially if one sees a friend bound unwitting to his own harm. |
bygone |
699 |
Past; former; departed; that which is past. |
Of them we know only old report and the rumour of bygone days. |
blanch |
699 |
To make white, esp. by depriving of color; also to make pale, as with sickness, fear, cold, etc.
To turn pale. |
If Cirith Ungol is named, old men and masters of lore will blanch and fall silent.
|
espied |
699 |
Espy - to see at a distance; catch sight of; see or discover suddenly after some effort, or
unexpectedly as by chance. |
You will be espied. |
| |
|
Book IV, Chapter 7 |
|
| |
|
Journey to the Cross-roads |
|
bestirred |
701 |
To stir up; rouse to action. |
Frodo and Sam returned to their beds and lay there in silence resting for a little, while men
bestirred themselves and the business of the day began. |
broods |
701 |
Rest fixedly; meditate with morbid persistence (on or over). |
A waiting silence broods above the Nameless Land. |
portends |
701 |
Point out, indicate. To indicate beforehand, or presage, as an omen does; betoken as impending;
foreshadow; also, to forecast or foretell. |
I do not know what this portends. |
staves |
701 |
A stick, rod, pole, or the like. |
The hobbit's packs were brought to them (a little heavier than they had been), and also two stout
staves of polished wood, shod with iron, and with carven heads through which ran palited leathern thongs. |
launds |
703 |
A space among woods, a glade; untilled ground, pasture. |
About them lay long launds
of green grass dappled with celandine and anemones, white and blue, now folded for sleep; and there were acres populous with leaves of woodland hyacinths: already their sleek bell-stems were thrusting through the mould.
|
holm-oak |
704 |
The holly (now provincial English). |
He would not rest on the ground so near the evil road, and after some debate they all climbed up
into the crotch of a large holm-oak, whose thick branches springing together from the trunk made a good hiding-place and a fairly comfortable refuge. |
covert |
706 |
A covering or cover; shelter; a hiding-place; a thicket giving shelter to wild animals or game.
|
There they lay for a while, too tired yet to eat; and peering out through the holes in the
covert they watched for the slow growth of day. |
dun |
707 |
Of a dull or grayish brown; also, dark, gloomy. |
Looking out from the covert he could see only a dun, shadowless world, fading slowly
into a featureless, colourless gloom. |
pall |
709 |
Cloak, covering; to cover with or as with a pall. |
There, far away, beyond sad Gondor now overwhelmed in the shade, the Sun was sinking, finding at
last the hem of the great slow-rolling pall of cloud, and falling in an ominous fire towards the yet unsullied sea. |
unsullied |
709 |
Not sullied; unspoiled; spotless; stainless; untarnished. |
See text above for pall. |
| |
|
Book IV, Chapter 8 |
|
| |
|
The Stairs of Cirith Ungol |
|
charnel |
711 |
A common repository for dead bodies; a charnel-house. Of, like, or used for a charnel. A house or
place in which the bodies or bones of the dead are deposited. |
Luminous these were too, beautiful and yet horrible of shape, like the demented forms in an uneasy
dream; and they gave forth a faint sickening charnel-smell; an odour of rottenness filled the air. |
beckon |
712 |
To signal, summon, or direct by a gesture of the head or hand. |
Along this path the hobbits trudged, side by side, unable to see Gollum in front of them, except
when he turned back to beckon them on. |
| |
|
Book IV, Chapter 9 |
|
| |
|
Shelob's Lair |
|
blind |
726 |
Without an opening or outlet; closed at one end. |
Presently, groping and fumbling in the dark, they found that the opening on the left was blocked;
either it was a blind, or else some great stone had fallen in the passage. |
shore |
729 |
Archaic preterit of shear. |
The blue-gleaming blade shore through them like a scythe
through grass, and they leaped and writhed and then hung loose. |
scythe |
729 |
An agricultural implement consisting of a long, curving blade fastened at an angle to a handle,
for mowing grass, etc., by hand |
See text above for shore. |
vomit |
730 |
To be ejected or come out with force or violence; spew, utter. |
But she was still there, who was there before Sauron, and before the first stone of Barad-dûr; and
she served none but herself, drinking the blood of Elves and Men, bloated and grown fat with endless brooding on her feasts, weaving webs of shadow; for all |
unabated |
731 |
Not abated or lessened; not reduced in amount, intensity, etc. |
It pleased him that she should dwell there hungry an unabated
in malice, a more sure watch upon that ancient path into his land than any other that his skill could have devised. |
fey |
731 |
Fated to die; doomed to death; on the verge of a sudden death. |
Dread was round him, and enemies before him in the pass, and his master was in a fey
mood running heedlessly to meet them. |
bereft |
732 |
To take away. |
Either she did not see Sam, or she avoided him for the moment as the bearer of the light, and
fixed all her intent upon one prey, upon Frodo, bereft of his Phial, running heedless up the path, unaware yet of his peril. |
spite |
734 |
Contempt; or scorn; also, keen, ill-natured desire to humiliate, annoy or injure another; malice,
venomous. |
But this time, led misled by spite, he had mad the mistake of speaking and gloating
before he had both hands on his victim's neck. |
| |
|
Book IV, Chapter 10 |
|
| |
|
The Choices of Master Samwise |
|
anigh |
740 |
Nigh; near. |
Rest you quite till I come; and may no foul creature come anigh you! |
Garn |
747 |
Slang for 'go on.' Related to a yarn ( a made up story); an exclamation uttered when you
believe somebody is lying or exaggerating. |
'Garn!' said Shagrat. |
