abominable
2 uses
He could only see the things's eyes, but he could feel its hairy legs as it struggled to wind its abominable threads round and round him.
abominable = exceptionally bad or detestable
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
amble
1 use
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.
ambling = walking leisurely
Definition
Generally amble means:to walk leisurely or slowly
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
circuitous
1 use
Horses and ponies had been sent round by circuitous paths to meet them at their appointed landing-place.
circuitous = indirect
Definition
Generally circuitous means:indirect — while traveling somewhere, or in saying or doing something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
commotion
7 uses
The rage of the wolves was terrible to see, and the commotion they made filled all the forest.
commotion = noisy disturbance
Definition
Generally commotion means:a disturbance — typically noisy
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
descend
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
descend from royalty
Some say that he is a bear descended from the great and ancient bears of the mountains that lived there before the giants came.
descended = having come (genetically)
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:figuratively, to have come down a path from the past; i.e., to originate or come from — such as in reference to ancestors or evolutionary origins
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
dubious
1 use
...they all began discussing dragon-slayings historical, dubious, and mythical...
dubious = doubtful (as true history)
Definition
Generally dubious means:doubtful
in various senses, including:
- doubtful that something should be relied upon — as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- doubtful that something is morally proper — as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value — as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- doubtful or uncertain — as in "She is dubious about making the change."
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
heed
5 uses
Beorn seemed to be growing drowsy and paid little heed to them.
heed = attention
Definition
Generally heed means:pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested — especially with regard to a warning or other advice
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
ingenious
2 uses
...they invented some of the machines that have since troubled the world, especially the ingenious devices for killing large numbers of people at once,
ingenious = inventive
Definition
Generally ingenious means:showing cleverness and originality
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
lament
3 uses
...and down the wind came the voices of the people of Esgaroth lamenting their lost town and goods and ruined houses.
lamenting = expressing regret for
Definition
Generally lament means:to express grief or regret
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
nimble
3 uses
Then if Bilbo was very nimble, he could slip out just behind them; though it was a dangerous thing to do.
nimble = quick and light on his feet
Definition
Generally nimble means:quick and agile — typically physically, but can also reference quick, agile thinking
(someone who is agile does things easily)
(someone who is agile does things easily)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
ominous
3 uses
...they looked seldom at it, for it was ominous and dreary even in the light of morning.
ominous = suggestive of evil or something bad
Definition
Generally ominous means:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
onslaught
3 uses
Some caught hold of the trunks and swung themselves into lower branches, some (like the little hobbit) got behind a tree to shelter from the onslaught of the rocks.
onslaught = powerful attack; or sudden and enormous amount of something that must be handled
Definition
Generally onslaught means:a powerful attack
or:
a sudden and enormous amount of something that must be handled — such as trouble, people or communications
or:
a sudden and enormous amount of something that must be handled — such as trouble, people or communications
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
prosperous
4 uses
And Lake-town was refounded and was more prosperous than ever, and much wealth went up and down the Running River; and there was friendship in those parts between elves and dwarves and men.
prosperous = financially successful
Definition
Generally prosperous means:successful or good — especially with regard to finances or wealth
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
purloin
1 use
A really first-class and legendary burglar would at this point have picked the trolls' pockets ... purloined the beer, and walked off without their noticing him.
purloined = stolen
Definition
Generally purloin means:to steal — especially in violation of trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
reconcile
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
reconciled their differences
Let us hope still for something that will bring reconciliation.
reconciliation = reaching agreement (making up instead of fighting)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
(editor's note: The suffix "-tion", converts a verb into a noun that denotes the action or result of the verb. Typically, there is a slight change in the ending of the root verb, as in action, education, and observation.)
Definition
Generally this sense of reconcile means:to bring into agreement
The exact meaning of reconcile can depend upon its context. For example:
- "We reconciled our differences and are on friendly terms now." — settled or found a way to accept
- "They did break up, but they reconciled since then." — made up
- "I need to reconcile my goals with my abilities." — make compatible
- "I need to reconcile my checkbook." — get the checkbook numbers and the bank statement to agree
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
resolve (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
I resolved to stop drinking.
they resolved now to win the dominion of the North.
resolved = definitely decided
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:to decide — typically a firm or formal decision
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
2 —1 use as in:
Her resolve weakened.
And then quite suddenly in another flash, as if lifted by a new strength and resolve, he leaped.
resolve = firmness of purpose
Definition
Generally this sense of resolve means:firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
treacherous
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
the road is steep and treacherous
Still elves are light-footed, and though they were not in these days much used to the marches and the treacherous lands between the Forest and the Lake, their going was swift.
treacherous = dangerous
Definition
Generally this sense of treacherous means:dangerous — often in a non-obvious way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
wane
2 uses
The winds broke up the grey clouds, and a waning moon appeared above the hills between the flying rags.
waning = diminishing (the illuminated part is getting smaller each night)
Definition
Generally wane means:a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number) — especially the part of the moon that is visible
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
wretch
1 use
But just as Bilbo was beginning to hope that the wretch would not be able to answer, Gollum brought up memories of...
wretch = a person of bad character and/or someone you feel sorry for
Definition
Generally wretch means:someone you feel sorry for
or:
a person of bad character
or:
a person of bad character
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |