Hobbit Alphabetical

Hobbit By Page

Hobbit Alphabetical Listing

Word	Page 1st Used	Meaning as used in The Hobbit	Context of use, sentence used in
afore	46	Before.	"You're a fat fool, William," said Bert, "as I've said *afore* this evening."
afresh	19	Again.	See text above for lo.
ages	12	A period of the earth's history.	He had not been down that way under The Hill for *ages* and ages, not since his friend the Old Took died, in fact, and the hobbits had almost forgotten what he looked like.
alighted	269	To get down as from a horse or a vehicle; descend; come to rest.	He *alighted* stiffly on the ground before them, slowly flapped his wings, and bobbed towards Thorin.
ambling	40	Amble. To go at an easy pace.	At first they had passed through hobbit-lands, a wild respectable country inhabited by decent folk, with good roads, an inn or two, and now and then a dwarf or a farmer *ambling* by on business.
amends	270	Reparation, as for wrong or injury; atonement; satisfaction, compensation.	They too think to find *amends* from your treasure, whether you are alive or dead.
array	267	To set in due order; orderly arrangement; ordered state of things.	But all the men of arms who were still able, and the most of the Elvenking's *array*, got ready to march north to the Mountain.
Attercop	170	A spider.	*Attercop! Attercop!*
audacious	25	Bold; daring; esp., recklessly or shamelessly bold; impudent.	We are met together in the house of our friend and fellow conspirator, this most excellent and *audacious* hobbit - may the hair on his toes never fall out! all praise to his wine and ale!"
bannocks	58	A flat cake made of oatmeal, barley-meal, or the like, commonly cooked on a griddle.	The bannocks* are baking!*
barrel	29	A cylinder or drum. The round part of a key.	Here it is!" he said, and handed to Thorin a key with a long *barrel* and intricate *wards*, made of silver.
bay	295	A stand made by a hunted animal to face or repel pursuers, or, fig. by a person, etc. forced to face a foe or a difficulty.	Now Bard was fighting to defend the Eastern spur, and yet giving slowly back; and the elf-lords were at *bay* about their king upon the southern arm, near to the watch-post on Ravenhill.
beats me		To baffle, perplex.	See text above for ell.
bebother	19		See text above for *confusticate*.
beset	279	To set, stud, or surround with something; also to surround as in a siege or attack, hem in; attack on all sides; assail.	Though they are a grim folk, they are not likely to overcome the host that *besets* you; and even if they did so, what will you gain?
besieged	278	To lay siege to; beset with or as with a siege; assail persistently.	"Since such is your answer," he called in return, "I declare the Mountain *besieged*.
betterment	97	A making or becoming better	A sudden understanding, a pity mixed with horror, welled up in Bilbo's heart: a glimpse of endless unmarked days without light or hope of betterment, hard stone, cold fish, sneaking and whispering.
bewildered	18	To confuse completely as to direction or course; render utterly confused in mind, perplex completely; daze.	Bilbo rushed along the passage, very angry, and altogether *bewildered* and *bewuthered*-this was the most awkward Wednesday he ever remembered.
bewuthered	18		See text above for *bewildered*.
bleat	72	To cry as a sheep, goat or calf; make a similar sound. The cry of sheep.	See text above for *yammer*.
blest	177
blighter	46	A person who causes trouble or makes himself obnoxious (slang, Eng.)	Poor little *blighter*, said William.
blimey	44	A vulgar corruption of blind me! or blame me!	"Mutton yesterday, mutton today, and *blimey, if it don't look like mutton again tomorrer*," said one of the trolls.
blind	260	Without discernment, understanding, or judgement; not proceeding form or controlled by reason.	At the twanging of the bows and the shrilling of the trumpets the dragon's wrath blazed to its height, till he was *blind* and mad with it.
blinking	17	keep delete?	"Someone at the door!" he said, *blinking*.
booby	50	A stupid person; a dunce.	"You're a *booby*," said William.
boughs	110	A branch of a tree, esp. one of the larger or main branches.	Dwalin and Balin had swarmed up a tall slender fir with few branches and were trying to find a place to sit in the greenery of the topmost *boughs*.
bowls	169	A game, common in Great Britain, in which the players rolled biased or weighted balls along the sward in a effort to bring them near as possible to a stationary ball called the jack; sometimes, skittles, ninepins, or ("American bowls") tenpins.	See text above for *quoits*.
braces	13	Suspenders.	I can't think what anybody sees in them," said our Mr. Baggins, and stuck one thumb behind his *braces*, and blew out another even bigger smoke-ring.
buffeted	206	Buffet. To strike as with the fist; beat; contend against as with blows. To deal blows; fight; struggle.	See text above for draggled.
burglarious	45	Pertaining to or involving burglary.	Of the various *burglarious* proceedings he had heard of picking the trolls' pockets seemed the least difficult, so at last he crept behind a tree just behind William.
cake	14	A mass of dough or batter baked or otherwise cooked in a definite form; a flat, comparatively thin mass of bread, esp., unleavened bread; an oat-cake.	He had only just had breakfast, but he thought a *cake* or two and a drink of something would do him good after his fright.
canny	43	Safe to deal or meddle with (chiefly with a negative); quiet or gentle.	"You must go on and find out all about that light, and what it is for, and if all is perfectly safe and *canny*," said Thorin to the hobbit.
cape	126	A Spanish cloak (with a hood); also, a separate article of attire, being a kind of short loose sleeveless cloak, fitting round the neck and falling over the shoulders as a protection against rain or cold. Waterproof capes of this kind are in common use.	See text above for *furrier*.
cartage	237	The act or the cost of carting (to convey in a cart).	What about cartage?
carven	183	Carved; fashioned or ornamented by carving.	In a great hall with pillars hewn out of the living stone sat the Elvenking on a chair of *carven* wood.
cavalcade	43	A procession of persons on horseback.	They take a pride in it, and Bilbo had sniffed more than once at what he called "all this dwarvish racket," as they went along, though I don't suppose you or I would notice anything at all on a windy night, not if the whole *cavalcade* had passed two feet off.
champing	69	To crush with the teeth and chew vigorously or noisily; munch; also to bite upon, esp. impatiently, as a horse its bit.	At one end there was room for the ponies; and there they stood (mighty glad of the change) steaming, and *champing* in their *nosebags*.
Chestnuts	85	An old or stale joke, anecdote, etc. (slang). Hence, in extended use, anything trite, stale, or too often repeated.	"*Chestnuts, chestnuts*, he hissed."
circuitous	213	Of the nature of a circuit; roundabout; not direct.	Horses and ponies had been sent round by *circuitous* paths to meet them at their appointed landing-place.
clamour	111	A loud outcry; vociferation; hence, a vehement expression of desire or dissatisfaction; also, any loud and continued noises,.	Every now and then all the Wargs in the circle would answer their grey chief all together, and their dreadful *clamour* almost made the hobbit fall out of his pine-tree.
comely	284	Pleasing in appearance; fair; handsome.	You are more worthy to wear the armour of elf-princes than many that have looked more *comely* in it.
commons	161	Food provided at a common table; as in colleges; hence food or provisions in general. Short commons -small meals.	If you hadn't waked up, we should have left you to your idiotic dreams in the forest; you are no joke to carry even after weeks of short commons."
confusticate	19	To confuse, confound, perplex.	*Confusticate* and *bebother* these dwarves! he said aloud.
copped	45	To catch; lay hold of; also, to steal.	"Blimey, Bert, look what I've *copped*!" said William.
cowered	229	To bend with knees and back; stand or squat in a bent position; esp. to crouch in fear or shame.	Then the dwarves forgot their joy and their confident boasts of a moment before and *cowered* down in fright.
cram	265
crannies	220	A small, narrow opening, as in a wall, rock, etc.	Out up there a silence reigned, broken by no bird or sound except that of the wind in the *crannies* of stone.
crazy Cob	171	Cob. Old English for spider; also, cob-web.	See text above for *Lazy Lob*.
croaking	75	To utter a low, hoarse, dismal cry, as a frog or raven; hence to speak with a low, hollow voice; fig., to talk despondently; forebode evil; grumble; also, to die (slang) or to kill (slang).	The yells and yammering, *croaking, jibbering* and *jabbering* ; howls, growls and curses; *shrieking* and *skriking*, that followed were beyond description.
dale	23	A vale or valley.	The bells were ringing in the dale
defrayed	38	To pay the charges or expenses of a person.	Terms: cash on delivery, up to and not exceeding one fourteenth of total profits (if any); all traveling expenses guaranteed in any event; funeral expenses to be *defrayed* by us or our representatives, if occasion arises and the matter is not otherwise arranged for.
dells	101	A deep, natural hollow in land, often with wooded slopes; a small valley; a vale.	He was on a stony path winding downwards with a rocky wall on the left hand; on the other side the ground sloped away and there were *dells* below the level of the path overhung with bushes and low trees.
delves	23	An act of delving; the plunging (of a spade) into the ground.	And harps of gold; where no man delves
depredations	17	A praying upon or plundering; robbery; ravage, waste.	He had only just had a sip-in the corner, while the four dwarves sat around the table, and talked about mines and gold and troubles with the goblins, and the *depredations* of dragons, and lots of other things which he did not understand, and did not want to, for they sounded much too adventurous - when, ding-dong-a-ling-dang, his bell rang again, as if some naughty little hobbit-boy was trying to pull the handle off.
devices	25	The act of planning; also, a plan or scheme for effecting a purpose.	See text above for *policy*.
draggled	206	To soil by dragging over damp ground or in the mud; make limp and soiled as with wet and dirt.	Wet straw was in his *draggled* beard; he was so sore and stiff, so bruised and *buffeted* he could hardly stand or stumble through the shallow water to lie groaning on the shore.
drat	102	A word used in vague or mild malediction (an evil deed; a crime; an offense).	"If we have got to go back now into those abominable tunnels to look for him, then *drat* him, I say."
draught	194	Drinking, or a drink or potion.	Come give us a taste of your sleeping-*draught* before we fall to!
draught	229	Old form of draft. A current of air.	Could there be a *draught* from that little hole?
droning	127	Emitting a dull, monotonous sound; characterized by a monotonous tone or utterance.	There was a buzzing and a whirring and a *droning* in the air.
dry	272	Without mortar.	But now their hopes were higher; for they had food for some weeks with care - chiefly cram, of course, and they were very tired of it; but cram is much better than nothing - and already the gate was blocked with a wall of squared stones laid *dry*, but very thick and high across the opening.
eerie	158		The laughter was the laughter of fair voices not of goblins, and the singing was beautiful, but it sounded eerie and strange, and they were not comforted, rather they hurried on from those parts with what strength they had left.
ell		Include words like these?	"What the '*ell* William was a-thinkin' of to bring us into these parts at all, *beats me* - and the drink runnin' short, what's more," he said jogging the elbow of William, who was taking a pull at his jug.
engines	73	An invention; a machine or instrument used in warfare, as a battering-ram, catapult, etc; an instrument of torture.	It is not unlikely that they invented some of the machines that have since troubled the world, especially the ingenious devices for killing large numbers of people at once, for wheels and *engines* and explosions always delighted them, and also not working with their own hands more than they could help; but in those days and those wild parts they had not advanced (as it is called) so far.
enmity	210	A feeling or condition of hostility; hatred; ill-will; animosity; antagonism; variance.	The Elvenking was very powerful in those parts and the Master wished for no *enmity* with him, nor did he think much of old songs, giving his mind to trade and tolls, to cargoes and gold, to which habit he owed his position.
ere	22	Before.	We must away ere* break of day*
et	44	Eat. Preterit of eat.	"Yer can't expect folk to stop here for ever just to be et by you and Bert.
eyrie	118	See aery. The nest of a bird of prey.	He loosed Dori's ankles with a gasp and fell onto the rough platform of an eagle's *eyrie* .
faggots	58	A bundle or sticks, twigs, or small branches of trees bound together, used for fuel.	The faggots* are reeking,*
fare	305
feint	294	A feigned or assumed appearance; a pretense; also, a movement made with the object of deceiving an adversary; an appearance of aiming at one part or point when another is the real object of attack.	A few brave men were strung before them to make a *feint* of resistance, and many there fell before the rest drew back and fled to either side.
fells	22	A stretch of elevated waste land or pasture; a down.	In hollow halls beneath the fells.
fender	21	A metal guard before an open fire; to keep back falling coals.	Then they went back, and found Thorin with his feet on the *fender* smoking a pipe.
flagons	190	A large bottle for wine, etc.; also, a vessel for holding liquids, as for use at table, esp. one with a handle, a spout and usually a cover.	He followed the two elves, until they entered a small cellar and sat down at a table on which two large *flagons* were set.
flummoxed	19	To bewilder; confound; bring to confusion.	See text above for *larders*.
flustered	15	Confused, disconcerted.	Yesterday he had been too *flustered* to do anything of the kind.
flying	156	To move or pass swiftly; move with a start or rush; spring with violence; also, to flee, run away or take flight.	There was a *flying* sound of hooves on the path ahead.
foiled	259	A defeat, discomfiture, or baffling check; frustrate or baffle; also when used as a noun, the track of hunted game.	Amid shrieks and wailing and the shouts of men he came over them, swept towards the bridges and was *foiled*!
fortnight	212
fray	302	A fight, skirmish, or battle.	Then Bern stooped and lifted Thorin, who had fallen pierced with spears, and bore him out of the fray.
fretted	200	To move in agitation or commotion, as water.	The barrels now all lashed together creaked and fretted.
froth	172	Fig., something unsubstantial or evanescent (to vanish away; disappear gradually).	See text above for *nippers*.
furrier	126	A dealer in or dresser of furs.	"Don't be a fool Mr. Baggins if you can help it; and in the name of all wonder don't mention the word *furrier* again as long as you are within a hundred miles of his house, nor *rug, cape, tippet, muff*, nor any other such unfortunate word!
furtive	253
galled	91	A sore on the skin, due to rubbing; an excoriation.	Gollum used to wear it at first, till it tired him; and then he kept it in a pouch next his skin, till it *galled* him; and now usually he hid it in a hole in the rock on his island, and was always going back to look at it.
gammers	207	A rustic title or term for an old woman.	See text above for *greybeards*.
giddy	100	Mad, insane; hence, furious or wild; also, having a confused, whirling sensation; affected with vertigo; dizzy; unstable.	But they don't like the sun: it makes their legs wobble and their heads *giddy*.
gleams	152
gledes	262	Gleed. A live or burning coal; a fire or flame, cinders or coke.	His last throes splintered it to sparks and gledes.
glowered	145	To stare or gaze intently; also, to look angrily or with sullen dislike or discontent.	But in the evening when the dusk came on and the peaks of the mountains *glowered* against the sunset they made a camp and set a guard, and most of them slept uneasily with dreams in which there came the howl of hunting wolves and the cries of goblins.
gnashed	75	To strike or grind (the teeth) together, esp., in rage or pain.	The Great Goblin gave a truly awful howl of rage when he looked at it, and all his soldiers *gnashed* their teeth, clashed their shields, and stamped.
greybeards	207	A man with a gray beard; hence, an old man.	Other folk were far away; and some of the younger people in the town openly doubted the existence of any dragon in the mountain, and laughed at the *greybeards* and *gammers* who said that they had seen him flying in the sky in their young days.
guffawing	68	A loud, coarse burst of laughter; to laugh loudly and boisterously.	They could hear the giants *guffawing* and shouting all over the mountainsides.
halloowing	100	Same as hollo. A call to attract attention; also, an exclamation of surprise, etc; to urge or incite by shouting.	See text above for *hooting*.
hark	59	To listen; harken: often used interjectionally, in the imperative (as, Hark!).	And listen and hark
harts	146	The male of the deer, commonly the red deer, esp. after its fifth year.	Sometimes Bilbo saw the horns of the *harts* sticking up out of the long grass, and at first he thought they were the dead branches of trees.
hauberk	289	Same as haubergeon. A short hauberk, reaching to the middle of the thighs; hence any hauberk. Hauberk: a piece of armor orig. intended for the protection of the neck and shoulders, but early developed into a long coat of mail reaching below the knees.	He had hurried on through the night, and so had come upon them sooner than they had expected. Each one of his folk was clad in a *hauberk* of steel mail that hung to his knees, and his legs were covered with hose of a fine and flexible metal mesh, the secret of whose making was possessed by Dain's people.
haughty	19	Exalted, lofty, noble; also having or showing a feeling of lofty dignity, disdainfully proud, arrogant.	Thorin indeed was very *haughty, and said nothing about service*; but poor Mr. Baggins said he was sorry so many times, that at last he grunted "pray don't mention it," and stopped frowning.
heady	190
hearth	18	The part of the floor of the room on which the fire is made or above which is a grate or the like for fire; the floor of a fireplace.	A big jug of coffee bad just been set in the *hearth*, the seed-cakes were gone, and the dwarves were starting on a round of buttered scones, when there came - a loud knock.
helter-skelter	103	In a headlong, disorderly haste; hurry-scurry; pell-mell; also, a tumultuous haste or disorder.	There was no time to count, as you know quite well, till we had dashed through the gate-guards, out of the lower door, and *helter-skelter* down here.
hind	157	The female of the deer, chiefly the red deer, esp. in and after the third year.	Suddenly on the path ahead appeared some white deer, a *hind* and fawns as snowy white as the hart had been dark.
hither	99	On or toward this side; on the side or in the direction of the person speaking; nearer.	Whistles blew, armour clashed, swords rattled, goblins cursed and swore and ran *hither* and thither, falling over one another and getting very angry.
hoard	22	Treasure, an accumulation of something laid by for preservation or future use; a stock of store, as of money, treasure.	There many a gloaming golden hoard
hooting	100	To cry out or shout, esp. in disapproval or derision; an exclamation of dissatisfaction, impatience, etc.	Of course they soon came down after him, *hooting* and *hallooing,* and hunting among the trees.
host	265	An army.	But help came swiftly; for Bard at once had speedy messengers sent up the river to the Forest to ask the aid of the King of the Elves of the Wood, and these messengers had found a *host* already on the move, although it was then only the third day after the fall of Smaug.
hotfoot	259	With great speed in going; in hot haste.	But the grim-voiced fellow ran *hotfoot* to the Master.
hustled	197	To shake, push, or shove roughly; often, to force roughly or hurriedly into, out of, or through a place.	He had as much as he could do to prevent himself from being *hustled* and battered to bits; but at last the jostling crowd began to break up and swing off, one by one, under the stone arch and away.
imp	92	An offspring, usually a male child; also, a person as a scion (descendant) or offshoot, as of a noble house.	Only a few hours ago he had worn it, and caught a small goblin-*imp*.
incantations	52	The chanting or uttering of words purporting to have magical power; a spell or charm; also, in general, magical ceremonies; magic, sorcery.	But they could not open it, not though they all pushed while Gandalf tried various *incantations*.
ire	23	Anger, wrath.	Then dragon's ire* more fierce than fire*
jabbering	75	To talk or utter rapidly, indistinctly, or unintelligibly; chatter unintelligibly or senselessly.	See text above for *croaking*.
jibbering	75	To move restively sidewise or backward instead of forward, as an animal in harness; refuse to go on; balk.	See text above for *croaking*.
jostling	195	To collide, to strike or push against as in passing; a collision, shock or push, as in jostling.	Some were barrels really empty, some were tubs neatly packed with a dwarf each; but down they all went, one after another, with many a clash and a bump, thudding on top of ones below, smacking into the water, *jostling* against the walls of the tunnel, knocking into one another, and bobbing away down the current.
kine	196	Archaic plural of cow. Used in numbers combinations with a sense of 'kingly-royal'	Where the kine* and oxen feed!*
knot	175
laburnums	13	A small leguminous tree, Laburnum laburnum, having pendulous racemens of yellow flowers.	See text above for *laburnums.*
lamented	167	A mournful expression of grief or sorrow, as for the dead or for any loss or misfortune.	"O! why did we not remember Beorn's advice, and Gandalf's!" he *lamented*.
larders	19	A room or place where meat or other provisions are kept; a pantry; hence, the store of provisions in a house.	"Seems to know as much about the inside of my *larders* as I do myself!" thought Mr. Baggins, who was feeling positively *flummoxed, and was beginning to wonder whether a most wretched* adventure had not come right into his house.
Lazy Lob	171	Lob. Old English for spider.	*Lazy Lob* and crazy Cob
lintel	219	A horizontal timber or stone above a door or other opening, to support the structure above.	See text above for *post*.
lo	19	An exclamation of surprise, greeting, etc. Also, look! see! behold!	Lo and behold! there stood Balin and Dwalin at the door of the kitchen, and Fili and Kili behind them, and before he could say knife they had whisked the trays and a couple of small tables into the parlour and set out everything *afresh*.
looking-glass	252	A mirror made of glass with a metallic or amalgam backing. A mirror.	Still I wish there was a *looking-glass* handy!"
lopped	128	To cut off the branches, twigs, etc., of a tree or other plant.	In the middle there was lying a great oak-trunk with many *lopped* branches beside it.
lout	46	An awkward, stupid fellow; a clown.	"And you're a *lout*!"
Lumme	45	A corruption of (Lord) love me.	*"Lumme* , if I knows! What are yer?"
marauding	218	To move in quest of plunder; make a raid for booty; the act of marauding.	On this western side there were fewer signs of the dragon's *marauding* feet, and there was some grass for their ponies.
mark	291
mattocks	290	A kind of pick with an arm or blade like that of an adz, and commonly with another arm opposite either like a narrow ax-blade or terminating in a point.	In battle they wielded heavy two-handed *mattocks*; but each of them had also a short broad sword at his side and a round shield slung at his back.
mead	137	An alcoholic liquor made by fermenting a mixture of honey and water; also any of various non-alcoholic beverages.	They sat long at the table with their wooden drinking-bowls filled with *mead*.
mead	196	A meadow. Now chiefly poetic.	Back to pasture, back to mead,
mere	196	A lake; a pond.	Up from mere* and pool at night!*
mince-pies	19	A pie filled with minced meat. Mince - to cut up or chop small, or in little pieces.	And *mince-pies* and cheese, said Bofur.
mirth	165	Joy; delight.	Their gleaming hair was twined with flowers; green and white gems glinted on their collars and their belts; and their faces and their songs were filled with *mirth*.
mock	30	Being an imitation or having merely the semblance of something; counterfeit; sham; false; mimic; imitate; ridicule.	He turned with *mock*-politeness to Bilbo.
morsel	16	A bite, mouthful, or small portion of food, or the like; a bit or dish of food of specified character.	Lots! Bilbo found himself answering, to his own surprise; and he found himself scuttling off, too, to the cellar to fill a pint beer-mug, and to the pantry to fetch two beautiful round seed-cakes which he had baked that afternoon for his after-supper *morsel*.
mould	138	Loose, friable earth, esp. such as is rich in organic matter and favorable to the growth of plants.	and leaves were laid upon the mould.
mouldered	253	To turn to dust by natural decay; crumble; waste away.	Though all the old adornments were long *mouldered* or destroyed, and though all was befouled and blasted with the comings and goings of the monster, Thorin knew every passage and every turn.
muddled	194	To render confused or stupid with drink, or as drink does.	"Save us, Galion!" cried some, "you began your feasting early and *muddled* your wits!
muff	126	A thick tubular case covered with fur or other material, into which the hands are thrust for warmth.	See text above for *furrier*.
mustering	302
mutton	37	The flesh of sheep, used as food; specif. the flesh of the well-grown or more mature sheep, as distinguished form lamb.	Roast *Mutton (*chapter title)
Necromancer	34	One who practices necromancy. The pretended art of divination through communication with the dead; the black art, hence, magic in general, enchantment, conjuration. A wizard, conjurer.	How he got there I don't know, but I found him a prisoner in the dungeons of the Necromancer ."
ninepins	169	A game played with nine wooden pins at which a ball is bowled to knock them down.	See text above for *quoits*.
nipped	105	To compress sharply between two surfaces or points.	In the flash which killed the goblins that were grabbing him he had *nipped* inside the crack, just as it snapped to.
nipped	169
nippers	172	One who or that which nips; a device for nipping, as pincers or forceps; one of the great claws of a crustacean.	The spiders saw the sword, though I don't suppose they knew what it was, and at once the whole lot of them came hurrying after the hobbit along the ground and the branches, hairy legs waving, *nippers* and *spinners* snapping, eyes popping, full of *froth* and rage.
nooks	69	A corner, as in a room; any small recess; a secluded or sheltered place.	It had a dry floor and some comfortable *nooks*.
nosebags	69	A bag, usually made of strong canvas and leather, which is suspended from a horse's head (the open end covering his nose) so that he may eat the provender contained in it.	See text above for *champing*.
noser	95	Someone who is prying, inquisitive.	The Baggins has got it in its pocketses; the nassty *noser* has found it, we says.
obscurest	210
oddments	91	An odd article, bit, remnant, or the like, or an article belonging to a broken or incomplete set.	Not far away was his island, of which Bilbo knew nothing, and there in his hiding-place he kept a few wretched *oddments*, and one very beautiful thing, very beautiful, very wonderful.
oddments	279
ogres	88	A monster, commonly represented as a hideous giant, of fairy-tales and popular legends, supposed to live on human flesh.	Poor Bilbo sat in the dark thinking of all the horrible names of all the giants and *ogres* he had ever heard told of in tales, but not one of them had done all these things.
old songs	314	Used to denote a very small or trifling sum, amount or value; also, for a mere trifle, for little or nothing.	It was now nearly lunchtime, and most of the things had already been sold, for various prices from next to nothing to *old songs* (as is not unusual at auctions).
onset	296	A beginning or start.	And as the valley widened his *onset* grew ever slower.
outlandish	37	Foreign-looking, strange, or odd; bizarre.	"Don't be a fool, Bilbo Baggins!" he said to himself, "thinking of dragons and all that *outlandish* nonsense at your age!"
painter	155	A rope, usually at the bow, for fastening a boat to a ship, stake, etc.	"It was tied after all," said he, looking at the snapped *painter* that was still dangling from it.
pallid	249	Pale; esp., unnaturally pale in complexion or hue, or wan.	Slowly it grew to a little globe of *pallid* light.
palpitating	61	To pulsate with unnatural rapidity, as the heart, from exertion, emotion; also, to quiver or tremble, as a body, a person or anything else.	Now it is a strange thing, but things that are good to have and days that are good to spend are soon told about, and not much to listen to; while things that are uncomfortable *palpitating*, and even gruesome, may make a good tale, and take a deal of telling anyway.
parapet	60	A protective wall or barrier at the edge of a balcony, roof, bridge, or the like.	There was only a narrow bridge of stone without a *parapet*, as narrow as a pony could well walk on; and over that they had to go, slow and careful, one by one, each leading his pony by the bridle.
paraphernalia	39	Personal belongings; articles of personal adornment or attire; trappings; equipments; in general, appurtenances (accessory).	They were on ponies, and each pony was slung about with all kinds of baggages, packages, parcels, and *paraphernalia*.
parley	275	To speak, talk, or confer; hold parley with an opponent; specif., to hold an informal conference with an enemy, under a truce, as between active hostilities.	We came expecting to find none living here; yet now that we are met there is matter for a *parley* and a council."
perilous	218	Full of or attended with peril; hazardous, dangerous, risky; exposure to injury.	They were alone in the *perilous* waste without hope of further help.
plaited	290	A braid, as of hair or straw.	Their beards were forked and *plaited* and thrust into their belts.
plumped	16	To drop heavily or suddenly and directly; with a heavy or sudden fall or drop.	Bilbo *plumped* down the beer and the cake in front of them, when loud came a ring at the bell again, and then another ring.
policy	25	A definite course of action adopted as expedient or from other considerations; also, a specificic course or line of action adopted and pursued by a government or ruler.	"We are met to discuss our plans, our ways, means, *policy* and devices .
portcullis	188	In a fortification, a strong grating, as of iron, made to slide in vertical grooves at the sides of the gateway of a fortified place, and let down to prevent entrance.	There the rocky roof came down close to the surface of the stream, and from it a *portcullis* could be dropped right to the bed of the river to prevent anyone coming in or out that way.
poser	86	A question, a problem, or matter that poses, or puzzles completely.	But it proved a nasty *poser* for Gollum.
post	219		No sign was there of *post* or *lintel* or *threshold*, nor any sign of bar or bolt or key-hole; yet they did not doubt that they had found the door at last.
pray	15	To entreat (ask earnestly for) or beseech (a person, etc.) for something; make earnest petition to (a person, etc.) as to do something, or that something may be.	When the silence that followed had become uncomfortable, he added: "I am just about to take tea; *pray* come and have some with me."
prosy	14	Given to discoursing in a commonplace, dull, or wearisome manner.	You will notice already that Mr. Baggins was not quite so *prosy* as he liked to believe, also that he was very fond of flowers.
puffed	16	To breathe quick and hard.	Gandalf for certain this time, he thought as he *puffed* along the passage.
purloined	44	To take dishonestly, steal, of filch; to commit theft.	A really first-class and legendary burglar would at this point have picked the trolls' pockets - it is nearly always worthwhile if you can manage it -, pinched the very mutton off the spits, *purloined* the beer, and walked off without their noticing him.
quaff	72	To drink wine or the like in large drafts, as with hearty enjoyment.	While Goblins quaff, and Goblins laugh,
quays	209	An artificial landing place, as of masonry, built along navigable water, for the use of vessels arriving, unloading or loading cargo, etc.	This was a wide circle of quiet water surrounded by the tall piles on which were built the greater houses, and by long wooden *quays* with many steps and ladders going down to the surface of the lake.
queer	11	Strange, odd, peculiar, eccentric, in appearance or character.	Still it is probable that Bilbo, her only son, although he looked and behaved exactly like a second edition of his solid and comfortable father, got something a bit *queer* in his makeup from the Took side, something that only waited for a chance to come out.
quoits	169	Orig., a discus; now, a flattish iron or other ring thrown in play to encircle a peg stuck in the ground or to come as close to it as possible, the game so played.	As a boy he used to practise throwing stones at things, until rabbits and squirrels, and even birds, got out of his way as quick as lightning if they saw him stoop; and even grownup he had still spent a deal of his time at *quoits, dart-throwing, shooting at the wand, bowls, ninepins* and other quiet games of the aiming and throwing sort - indeed he could do lots of things, besides blowing smoke-rings, asking riddles and cooking, that I haven't had time to tell you about.
rags	41	A fragmentary bit of anything. In this case clouds.	The wind broke up the grey clouds, and a wandering moon appeared above the hills between the flying *rags*.
ravening	295	To seize as spoil or prey; also, to devour voraciously; to seek plunder or prey.	There a host of Wargs came *ravening* and with them came the bodyguard of Bolg, goblins of huge size with *scimitars* of steel.
recompense	264	To make compensation to (a person, etc.); repay; remunerate, reward, or requite for service, aid, etc.; make up to by payment or otherwise for loss, injury, suffering, etc.	From whom should we claim the *recompense* of our damage, and aid for our widows and orphans?"
reek	217	Smoke, vapor or steam emitted or exhaled, issue, rise.	But he might be gone away some time, or he might be lying out on the mountain-side keeping watch, and still I expect smokes and steams would come out of the gates: all the halls within must be filled with his foul *reek*."
reeking	58	Smoke, vapor or steam emitted or exhaled, issue, rise.	See text above for *faggots*.
remuneration	31	To requite (repayment), recompense, or reward (a person) for services, work, trouble, etc.; the act of remuneration.	"Also I should like to know about risks, out-of-pocket expenses, time required and *remuneration*, and so forth" - by which he meant: "What am I going to get out of it? and am I going to come back alive?"
rending	295	To separate into part with force or violence; to tear apart, split, divide.	Already many of the goblins were flying back down the river to escape from the trap; and many of their own wolves were turning upon them and *rending* the dead and the wounded.
rent	138	An opening made by rending or tearing; a tear, as in a garment; a split, break, or fissure.	where racing clouds were torn and rent.
repose	38	To lay to rest; refresh by rest; to take rest from exertion or toil.	Thinking it unnecessary to disturb your esteemed *repose*, we have proceeded in advance to make requisite preparations, and shall await your respected person at the Green Dragon Inn, Bywater, at 11 a.m. sharp.
routed	32	To bring or get in poking about, searching, etc.; to fetch or get from a place, by vigorous action.	Then he went back and crept in through the Front Gate and *routed* out all the halls, and lanes, and tunnels, alleys, cellars, mansions and passages.
row	46	A violent disturbance or commotion; a noisy dispute or quarrel; to assail roughly.	Then there was a gorgeous *row*.
rug	126	A mat or the like made from the pelt of an animal.	See text above for *furrier*.
rumour	230	To make a murmuring sound.	The dwarves heard the awful *rumour* of his flight, and they crouched against the walls of the grassy terrace cringing under boulders, hoping somehow to escape the frightful eyes of the hunting dragon.
runes	8	Any of the letters or characters of an alphabet (in varying forms) used by the ancient Teutonic peoples, esp., the Scandinavians; hence, something written or inscribed in such characters.	*Runes* were old letters originally used for cutting or scratching on wood, stone, or metal, and so were thin and angular.
scimitar	295	Simitar. A short, curved, single-edged sword used by the Turks, Persians, etc.	See text above for *ravening*.
scowled	27	To draw down or contract the brows in a sullen or angry manner; look with a scowl; to have a gloomy or threatening aspect.	He *scowled* so angrily at Gloin that the dwarf huddled back in his chair; and when Bilbo tried to open his mouth to ask a question, he turned and frowned at him and stuck oat his bushy eyebrows, till Bilbo shut his mouth tight with a snap.
scrabbling	92	To scratch or scrape about, as with the claws or hands.	He was on his island, *scrabbling* here and there, searching and seeking in vain.
scuffling	139	To walk about without raising the feet; shuffle.	There was a growling sound outside, and a noise as of some great animal *scuffling* at the door.
scuttled	14	To run with quick, hurried steps.	With that the hobbit turned and *scuttled* inside his round green door, and shut it as quickly as he dared, not to seen rude.
shingly	198	Small, water-worn stones or pebbles such as lie in loose sheets or beds on the seashore.	This had a *shingly* shore under hanging banks and was walled at the eastern end by a little jutting cape of hard rock.
shipped	198	To take in (water) over the side, as a vessel does when waves break over it.	Luckily he was very light, and the barrel was a good big one and being rather leaky had now *shipped* a small amount of water.
shirk	72	One who seeks to avoid work, duty, etc.	Work, work! Nor dare to shirk,
shiver	66	To break or split into fragments or splinters; shatter.	The lightning splinters on the peaks, and rocks *shiver*, and great crashes split the air and go rolling and tumbling into every cave and hollow; and the darkness is filled with overwhelming noise and sudden light.
shod	290
shooting at the wand	169		See text above for *quoits*.
shrieking	75	To utter a loud, sharp, shrill cry; of persons, to cry out sharply at a high pitch of voice, often wildly or frantically, as with terror, rage, pain, delight, etc.	See text above for *croaking*.
skriking	75	To utter in a shrill, harsh cry.	See text above for *croaking*.
slowcoach	193	One who is slow in moving, acting, working, thinking, etc. one deficient in quickness, energy, briskness, etc. In American English it would be slowpoke.	"I shall be angry if the old *slowcoach* is late," said another.
smart	92	To be a source of sharp local and unusually superficial pain, to feel a sharp pain.	He might even venture into places where the torches were lit and made his eyes blink and *smart*; for he would be safe.
smithereens	244	Small fragments: as to knock a thing to smithereens.	He was breaking rocks to pieces, smashing wall and cliff with the lashings of his huge tail, till their little lofty camping ground, the scorched grass, the thrush's stone, the snail-covered walls, the narrow ledge, and all disappeared in a jumble of smithereens, and an avalanche of splintered stones fell over the cliff into the valley below.
smote	99	Preterit of smite. Afflict, chasten, or punish in a grievous manner; affect mentally with a sudden pang; hence, to affect suddenly and strongly with a specified feeling or sentiment.	A pang of fear and loss, like an echo of Gollum's misery, *smote* Bilbo, and forgetting even to draw his sword he struck his hands into his pockets.
smote	117	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.	Over them swooped the eagles; the dark rush of their beating wings *smote* them to the floor or drove them far away; their talons tore at goblin faces.
snag	94	Any sharp or rough projection.	Terrified he tried to run faster, but suddenly he struck his toes on a *snag* in the floor, and fell flat with his little sword under him.
snapdragons	13	A plant of the scrophulariaceous genus Antirrhinum, esp. A. Majus, an herb long cultivated for its spikes of showy flowers, of various colors, with a corolla that has been supposed to look like the mouth of a dragon.	They used to go up like great lilies and *snapdragons* and *laburnums* of fire and hang in the twilight all evening!"
snuffling	111	To draw air into the nose for the purpose of smelling something. To inhale, perceive by snuffling; examine by smelling.	They left guards at the foot of the tree in which Dori and Bilbo were, and then went *snuffling* about till they had smelt out every tree that had anyone in it.
solemnities	208
sorrel	107	Any of various plants of the genus Rumex, having succulent acid leaves used in salads, sauces, etc.	He nibbled a bit of sorrel, and he drank from a small mountain-stream that crossed the path, and he ate three wild strawberries that he found on its bank, but it was not much good.
spinners	172	A spider; esp. one which spins a web.	See text above for *nippers*.
splayed	97	Spread out; wide and flat; turned outward; fig. clumsy or awkward; oblique or awry.	He seemed to be crouched right down with his flat hands *splayed* on the floor, and his head thrust out, nose almost to the stone.
spluttered	86	To talk hastily and confusedly or incoherently, as in excitement or embarrassment.	He hissed to himself, and still he did not answer; he whispered and *spluttered*.
spoil	270	To strip (a defeated or fallen enemy, etc.) of arms, armour, or the like; strip of goods, of valuables, etc. by force, as in war.	The news of the death of the guardian has already gone far and wide, and the legend of the wealth of Thror has not lost in the telling during many years; many are eager for a share of the spoil.
stay	287	To stop or halt; cease or desist; pause or wait; as for a moment, before proceeding or continuing.	*Stay* !
stiff	149
stifling	193
store	186	The supply or stock of necessities stored up, as for future use; supplies of food, clothing, etc; a supply of anything.	He was hungry too outside, for he was no hunter; but inside the caves he could pick up a living of some sort by stealing food from *store* or table when no one was at hand.
stratagems	241	A piece of generalship; an artifice in war; a plan, scheme, or trick for deceiving the enemy.	That turned the conversation, and they all began discussing dragon-slayings historical, dubious, and mythical, and the various sorts of stabs and jabs and undercuts, and the different arts, devices and *stratagems* by which they had been accomplished.
studs	13	A small button or fastener, commonly of metal, bone, or the like and in the form of a small knob and a disk connected by a stem, used (when passing through small button holes or the like) for holding together parts of dress or for ornament. Cufflinks.	Not the wandering wizard that gave Old Took a pair of magic diamond *studs* that fastened themselves and never came undone till ordered?
succoured	277	British preferred form of succor; to run under; run to aid; help; to help or relieve in difficulty, want or distress; to furnish with military assistance; auxiliary forces; reinforcements.	"The Elvenking is my friend, and he has *succoured* the people of the Lake in their need, though they had no claim but friendship on him," answered Bard.
surly	185	Lordly, arrogant, or domineering; hence churlishly rude or ill-humored or in the manner, tone, expression, etc. Uncivil or morose.	They were *surly* and angry and did not even pretend to be polite.
tarry	291	To delay; also, to wait for, or await.	But the Elvenking said: "Long will I *tarry*, ere I begin this war for gold.
third time pays for all	224		But '*third time pays for all*' as my father used to say, and somehow I don't think I shall refuse.
thither	99	To or toward that place or point.	See text above for *hither*.
thongs	180	A narrow strip of hide of leather, used as a fastening; also, to bind or fasten with a thong.	Then the elves put *thongs* on him, and shut him in one of the inmost caves with strong wooden doors, and left him.
threashold	219		See text above for *post*.
throng	17	A great number of things crowded or considered together; also to fill or occupy with as with a crowd.	Let us join the *throng*!
throttled	45	To stop the breath of by compressing the throat; strangle; sometimes, to choke or suffocate in any way.	"Bilbo Baggins, a bur - a hobbit," said poor Bilbo, shaking all over, and wondering how to make owl-noises before they *throttled* him.
thrumming	227	Any dull, monotonous sound.	There he lay, a vast red-golden dragon, fast asleep; a *thrumming* came from his jaws and nostrils, and wisps of smoke, but his fires were low in slumber.
tidings	261	Happenings, tidings, news; the announcement of an event or occurrence not previously made known.	And while Bard paused in wonder it told him of *tidings* up in the Mountain and of all that it had heard.
tippet	126	An article of dress, usually of fur or wool, for covering the neck; a band of fur, worn about the neck.	See text above for *furrier*.
toe	169	Put for the foot as a whole or the point of the foot; also, the part of a shoe or stocking which covers the toes; a part resembling a toe or the toes, in shape or position; the lower extremity or projection of anything, a point, tip, often identical with foot.	There was a muffled yelp inside, and a *toe* shot up and kicked the spider straight and hard.
Tomnoddy	170	A foolish or stupid person.	Old *Tomnoddy*, all big body,
tomorrer	44	A slang pronunciation of tomorrow.	See text above for blimey.
toothsome	43	Pleasing to the taste; palatable; also, fond of savory food.	There was a fine *toothsome* smell.
toss-pot	194	A habitual drinker.	"There is nothing in the feeling of weight in an idle toss-pot's arms.
town-baiting	261
track	40	The mark, or series of marks, left by anything that has passed along; a wheel-rut; a series of footprintsor other marks left by an animal or person.	"To think it will soon be June," grumbled Bilbo as he splashed along behind the others in a very muddy *track*.
train	292	A line or procession of persons, vehicles, animals, etc., traveling together.	They ride upon wolves and Wargs are in their *train*!"
trestles	136	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.	Quickly they got out boards and *trestles* from the side walls and set them up near the fire.
tunic	128	Undergarment. A garment like a shirt or a gown, worn by both sexes among the ancient Greeks and Romans.	He was clothed in a *tunic* of wool down to his knees, and was leaning on a large axe.
tuppence	160	British twopence.	They did not care *tuppence* about the butterflies, and were only made more angry when he told them of the beautiful breeze, which they were too heavy to climb up and feel.
turnkey	194	One who has charge of the keys of a prison; a prison keeper, jailer or warden.	No need to wake the *turnkey* yonder.
twitter	51	To move tremulously, shake, or tremble.	For just at that moment the light came over the hill, and there was a mighty *twitter* in the branches.
unassessably	238	Assessably. In a way liable to assessment; ratably.	Surely, O Smaug the *unassessably* wealthy, you must realize that your success has made you some bitter enemies?"
vagabond	209	One who is without fixed abode and wanders from place to place; esp. an idle wanderer without visible means of earning an honest livelihood; a tramp or a vagrant; also, an idle, worthless fellow; a scamp; a rascal.	"These are prisoners of our king that have escaped, wandering *vagabond* dwarves that could not give any good account of themselves, sneaking through the woods and molesting our people!"
vanguard	294	The foremost division of an army; the van; a part of an army detached from the main body to clear the way and guard against surprise from the front.	Ere long the *vanguard* swirled round the spur's end and came rushing into Dale.
venerable	61	Commanding respect by reason of age and dignity of appearance.	He was as noble and as fair in face as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as *venerable* as a king of dwarves, and as kind as summer.
vexed	63	To irritate, annoy, make angry. To feel distressed, worried, or annoyed.	"What do they say?" asked Gandalf and Thorin together, a bit *vexed* perhaps that even Elrond should have found this out first, though really there had not been a chance before, and there would not have been another until goodness knows when.
viols	22	A musical instrument, of various sizes, shapes, etc., having a hollow body, a neck, a finger board, and strings, and played with a bow; esp., an old (medieval and later) type having from five to seven strings, and made in four sizes. A violin.	They came back with *viols* as big as themselves, and with Thorin's harp wrapped in a green cloth.
Wain	204	Wagon; vehicle, or cart. The name for the seven major stars of the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Known in England as the Plough and in America as the Big Dipper.	Only from the map did Bilbo know that away up there, where the stars of the *Wain* were already twinkling, the Running River came down into the lake from Dale and with the Forest River filled with deep waters what must once have been a great deep rocky valley.
waning	216	To draw to a close, or approach an end.	They were come to the Desolation of the Dragon, and they were come at the *waning* of the year.
wards	29	Each of the ridges projecting from the inside plate of a lock, serving to prevent the passage of any key the bit of which is not provided with incisions of corresponding form and size. Each of the incisions in the bit of a key, corresponding to the 'wards' of the lock.	See text above for *barrel*.
warrant	74	To afford warrant or sanction for, or justify; to give a formal assurance, or guarantee or promise.	"Up to no good, I'll *warrant*!
waxing	262	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 *waxing* moon rose higher and higher and the wind grew loud and cold.
waylaid	54	To lie in wait for (a traveler, passer-by, etc.) on the way; fall upon or assail from ambush, as in order to rob, seize, or slay.	It was they who told me that three of them had come down from the mountains and settled in the woods not far from the road: they had frightened everyone away from the district, and they *waylaid* strangers.
waylaid	209
well-to-do	9	Having a sufficiency of means for comfortable living, well off, or prosperous.	This hobbit was a very *well-to-do* hobbit, and his name was Baggins.
Were-worms	27	A mythical beast.	Tell me what you want done, and I will try it, if I have to walk from here to the East of East and fight the wild *Were-worms* in the Last Desert.
whinnying	68	Of a horse, to utter its characteristic call or cry; neigh.	Soon they were getting drenched and their ponies were standing with their heads down and their tails between their legs, and some of them were *whinnying* with fright.
wily	233	Full of, marked by, or proceeding from wiles; crafty, cunning.	Had he known more about dragons and their *wily* ways, he might have teen more frightened and less hopeful of catching this one napping.
wits	17	Understanding, intelligence.	I really must sit down for a minute and collect my *wits*, and have a drink."
wrath	231	Angry; strong, stern or fierce anger.	Long he had hunted in vain till the dawn chilled his *wrath* and he went back to his golden couch to sleep – and to gather new strength.
wretched	19	Deeply unhappy in mind.	See text above for *larders*.
wretched	187	Deplorably unfortunate in condition or circumstances; miserable; pitiable; deeply unhappy in mind; in an unsatisfactory physical condition.	Thorin was too *wretched* to be angry any longer at his misfortunes, and was even beginning to think of telling the king all about his treasure and his quest (which shows how low-spirited he had become), when he heard Bilbo's little voice at his keyhole.
wrought	22	Worked; elaborated.	They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
yammer	72	Mourn, complain, sad, mournful; to lament, wail, whine, the act of yammering; a loud or persistent talk.	Batter and beat! Yammer* and bleat!*
yer	44	Vulgar pronunciation of your.	"Shut *yer* mouth!" he said as soon as he could.
yore	22	Of old; years ago; long ago.	The dwarves of *yore* made mighty spells,


	Copyright © 2004-2010 by Oliver Loo