The Fellowship of the Ring — Vocabulary
J. R. R. Tolkien
(Auto-generated)

Word Set

Samples

Sort By

Further limit words

by chapter of first use

to Show all

by difficulty

to (9 is most difficult)

by interest

underline any show only

Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	54	top 500
dwelldwell → dwells:lives in The creature dwells in the forest.more Show sample from book ...dwelling still in the lands that we gave them long ago...65 more dwell → dwelling:living (or making their home in) Show general definition for dwell (as in: It dwells in the forest.) make one's home in; or to live in; or to stay (in a place)
	12	top 500
dwellinghome There is a second dwelling unit on the property.more Show sample from book ...and I came at long last to the dwelling of Saruman.65 more home (or place in which someone lives) Show general definition for dwelling (as in: a modest dwelling) a house or shelter in which someone lives
	64	top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book Here let us hope that the virtue of the Elves will keep us tonight from the peril that comes behind.†63 more danger Show general definition danger
	8	top 500
despaira feeling of hopelessness Don't give in to despair.more Show sample from book ...for despair is only for those who see the end beyond all doubt.13 more hopelessness Show general definition for despair (as in: she felt despair) hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
	6	top 500
despair#2lose hope Don't despair. Next year will be better.more Show sample from book 'Don't despair!' said Strider.13 more give up hope Show general definition for despair (as in: do not despair) lose hope or feel distress
	15	top 1000
endureendure → endured:suffered through I endured insult and injury without complaint.more Show sample from book They had marched as far as the hobbits could endure without a rest,15 more suffer through (or continue with something difficult) Show general definition for endure (as in: endured the pain) to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
	1	top 1000
endure#2continue to exist She is gone, but her teachings endure through the ages.more Show sample from book Most of their earlier settlements had long disappeared and been forgotten in Bilbo's time; but one of the first to become important still endured, though reduced in size;15 more endure → endured:continued to exist Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages) to continue to exist
	12	top 1000
witherwither → withered:shriveled (wrinkled as they dried out) The grapes withered on the vine.more Show sample from book He opened his pouch and drew out some withered leaves.12 more wither → withered:shriveled (wilted, dried up) Show general definition for wither (as in: wither on the vine) to shrivel (wrinkle and contract -- usually from lack of water)
	1	top 2000
wither#2wither → withered:weakened Her confidence withered under the constant criticism from her boss.more Show sample from book All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost.12 more weaken Show general definition for wither (as in: her confidence withered) to become weaker--sometimes to get smaller and disappear
	20	top 1000
heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness. Show sample from book "heed the words!" said the other Elves.19 more pay close attention Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	24	top 2000
glimmerglimmer → glimmered:shined (with a dim or wavering light) The moonlight glimmered on the lake.more Show sample from book In his left hand he held up his glimmering staff, the light of which just showed the ground before his feet;23 more glimmer → glimmering:shining (with a dim or wavering light) Show general definition for glimmer (as in: glimmering lights) a dim, wavering, or reflected light
	14	top 2000
kindredsimilar in quality or character We are kindred spirits.more Show sample from book We are Exiles, and most of our kindred have long ago departed and we too are now only tarrying here a while, ere we return over the Great Sea.†13 more similar in quality or character; OR closely related Show general definition similar in quality or character or: closely related -- such as family or things with shared origin
	12	top 2000
hinderhinder → hindered:delayed or made difficult Her efforts to turn the department around were further hindered by budgetary cuts.more Show sample from book But this hindered them; for the grass was thick and tussocky, and the ground uneven, and the trees began to draw together into thickets.†11 more hinder → hindered:slowed down or caused problems for Show general definition for hinder (as in: hindered by) slow down or cause problems for
	7
assailassail → assailed:attacked Critics assailed the author’s latest work, questioning its originality and depth.more Show sample from book I do not know the reason for your flight, and therefore I do not know by what means your pursuers will assail you.†6 more to attack or cause trouble Show general definition to attack or cause trouble
	2	top 2000
accordaccord → own accord:own mind -- voluntarily (without anyone asking) She was not forced. She did it of her own accord.more Show sample from book the gate seemed to open of its own accord2 more Show general definition for accord (as in: done of her own accord) mind Show editor's word notes This sense of accord is typically seen in the form own accord or one accord.
	1
accord#2accord → accorded:given special treatment They expect to be accorded the same respect as any other nuclear armed nation.more Show sample from book The Took family was still, indeed, accorded a special respect, for it remained both numerous and exceedingly wealthy, and was liable to produce in every generation strong characters of peculiar habits and even adventurous temperament.2 more accord → accorded:giving special treatment Show general definition for accord (as in: accord her the respect deserved) to give someone special treatment -- especially respect
	5	top 2000
pinnaclehighest point She wrote the book at the pinnacle of her popularity.more Show sample from book It seemed to Frodo that he was lifted up, and passing over he saw that the rock-wall was a circle of hills, and that within it was a plain, and in the midst of the plain stood a pinnacle of stone, like a vast tower but not made by hands.4 more high tower Show general definition the highest point -- either literally, like the top of a mountain, or figuratively, like the peak of success or achievement
	2	top 500
venerablerespected They looked to the venerable old woman for advice.more Show sample from book Venerable he seemed as a king crowned with many winters, and yet hale as a tried warrior in the fulness of his strength.†1 more respected (worthy of respect) -- typically because of age or position Show general definition respected (worthy of respect) -- typically because of age or position
	14	top 1000
cleavesplit Large molecules cleave at their weakest points and produce smaller fragments.more Show sample from book Slowly they crawled up to the edge of the ring again, and peered through a cleft between two jagged stones.14 more cleave → cleft:opening Show context notes Cleft is the past tense of cleave like left is past tense of leave. Today, cleft is most seen in the form cleft palate or cleft lip to refer to medical conditions at birth. Show general definition for cleave (as in: cleave through) to split or cut through something Show editor's word notes Ironically, this word can mean to split in two or to hold together. Note that you may see cleaved, cleft, clove, or cloven as the past tense of this sense of cleave.
	1	top 1000
cleave#2cleave → cleaves:holds firmly The New Testament quotes the Old Testament twice in saying, "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to this wife, and they become one flesh."more Show sample from book He felt his tongue cleave to his mouth, and his heart labouring.14 more hold firmly Show general definition for cleave (as in: cleave to) to hold firmly to something -- such as an object, a person or idea Show editor's word notes Ironically, this word can mean to split in two or to hold together. Note that you may see cleaved, clove, or clave as the past tense of this sense of cleave.