Usage

The words from the book are listed exactly as they appear in the text, in the same tense. The definitions are given for the word in singular form. For example, the text contains the word tossocky (plural) on pg. 75, the definition listed is for tossock (singular).

Definitions for words ending in ing (and some other endings), are defined without the ending. For example, erring is err, slavering is slaver unless such words are defined with the ending.

Occasionally, when a word is used in the negative sense, the definition may be for the positive sense.

Definitions also contain other relevant information that may be of ancillary interest, not necessarily only the meaning of the word as used in the context to the book. For example, a phial is a small vessel for liquids, but it can also be a store or accumulation (of wrath, indignation, etc.) poured out upon an offender, victim, or other object (from the seven golden vials full of the wrath of God mentioned in Revelations 15. This second meaning is not necessarily what is meant, but is still of interest.

In some instances, the spelling of the word used in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is different than that of the definition described. In such cases, the new spelling is listed in the definition (as of 1920).

Page numbers refer to the page a word is first used, not the page where the sentence starts. For example, a sentence can start on a particular page, but the word listed is actually found on the following page.

If a definition contains other unusual words, the definition for that word is also given in the same text in parenthesis.

The meanings of common words used in a context easily understandable to today's reader are not defined. The first unusual, old, or archaic meaning is defined. For example, when mere is used as meaning a small lake or pond, it is defined. When it is used as 'only' it is not defined as it is a common understanding.

An old, unusual or archaic word may have been used at an earlier point in the text, but only the first use of the old, unusual or archaic meaning is listed. For example, fell is used several times, but the unusual use appears on pg. 84. Therefore, its first its use is listed here. The word may be used subsequently with different meaning, but ……

First uses are based on the first occurrence in the text of the book itself. The sections titled 'Note on text' and 'Forward to the Second Edition" are not included.  Pages included begin from 1 (prologue) and end at 1146.

The definitions are written in American English while the text is British English. In a few circumstances where the Oxford English Dictionary was used for reference, the definition may be written in British English.

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings both contain numerous errors…….needs to be fixed

I look forward to any comments readers may have.

Copyright © 2004-2010 by Oliver Loo