allude
2 uses
no songs had alluded to him even in the obscurest way
alluded = indirectly referred
Definition
Generally allude means:to make an indirect reference
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
attribute
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
I attribute it to...
Great floods and rains had swollen the waters that flowed east; and there had been an earthquake or two (which some were inclined to attribute to the dragon)...
attribute = credit (point to as the cause of)
Definition
Generally this sense of attribute means:to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
- "I attribute it to her work." — to say who or what made something happen
- "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." — indicate the source of a quotation or idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
audacious
2 uses
...this most excellent and audacious hobbit...
audacious = daring
Definition
Generally audacious means:bold and daring (inclined to take risks) — especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
benefactor
1 use
He has tonight earned an eminent place in the roll of the benefactors of our town; and he is worthy of many imperishable songs.
benefactors = helpers or supporters
Definition
Generally benefactor means:someone who helps a person or organization — especially financially
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |
correspond
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
corresponding time period
For example, the text on pages 32 and 62 now corresponds exactly with the runes on Thror's Map.†
corresponds = matches
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:connect or fit together by being equivalent, proportionate, or matched
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
(Two things are equivalent if they have the same or very similar value, purpose, or result.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
cunning
1 use
In the silence they feared some cunning devilry of his, but they could not sit there for ever.
cunning = cleverness and deception
Definition
Generally this sense of cunning means:being good at achieving goals through cleverness — and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
desolate
6 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
a desolate place
all the land was desolate and empty.
desolate = empty, providing no shelter or sustenance
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
despair
6 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
she felt despair
All at once there came a bloodcurdling shriek, filled with hatred and despair. Gollum was defeated. He dared go no further.
despair = hopelessness
Definition
Generally this sense of despair means:hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
dwell (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
It dwells in the forest.
these are birds that dwell always in the land;
dwell = live (make their home)
Definition
Generally this sense of dwell means:make one's home in; or to live in; or to stay (in a place)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
2 —3 uses as in:
a modest dwelling
Morning passed, afternoon came; but in all the silent waste there was no sign of any dwelling.
dwelling = a house or shelter in which someone lives
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 15 |
enmity
1 use
The Elvenking was very powerful in those parts and the Master wished for no enmity with him,
enmity = hatred
Definition
Generally enmity means:hatred toward someone or between people — typically long-lasting
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
forbearance
1 use
It was rightly guessed that I could not forbear to redeem the Arkenstone, the treasure of my house.
forbear = refrain (hold back)
Definition
Generally forbearance means:refraining (holding back) from acting
or:
patience, tolerance, or self-control
or:
patience, tolerance, or self-control
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
hoard
16 uses
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
hoarded = gathered stores of
Definition
Generally hoard means:to gather something valuable and store it; or a collection of such things
Word Statistics
| Book | 16 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 18 |
inclined (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
I'm inclined to
they were inclined to be grumpy
inclined = in the mood (or had a tendency)
Definition
Generally this sense of inclined means:a tendency, mood, desire, or attitude that favors something; or making someone favor something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
2 —1 use as in:
on an incline or incline his head
at the bottom of a short incline
incline = angle or slope
Definition
Generally this sense of incline means:to be at an angle or to bend
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
plunder
9 uses
Dragons steal gold and jewels, you know, from men and elves and dwarves, wherever they can find them; and they guard their plunder as long as they live
plunder = stolen goods
Definition
Generally plunder means:to steal — often after conquering the location with the goods
or:
the goods stolen
or:
the goods stolen
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
tumult
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
tumult in financial markets
He just managed to catch hold of Dori's legs, as Dori was borne off last of all; and they went together above the tumult and the burning, Bilbo swinging in the air with his arms nearly breaking.
tumult = disorderly situation
Definition
Generally this sense of tumult means:confusion or disorder — often noisy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
venerable
1 use
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.
venerable = respected (worthy of respect)
Definition
Generally venerable means:respected (worthy of respect) — typically because of age or position
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 2000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
wrath
9 uses
Long he had hunted in vain till the dawn chilled his wrath...
wrath = intense anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
wretched
9 uses
Why, O why did I ever bring a wretched little hobbit on a treasure hunt!
wretched = miserable
Definition
Generally wretched means:very bad
in various senses, including:
- unfortunate or miserable — as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor"
- of poor quality — as in "wretched roads"
- morally bad — as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |