The Two Towers — Vocabulary
J. R. R. Tolkien
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	59	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 Frodo and Sam were plodding along with heavy hearts, no longer able to care greatly about their peril.†58 more danger Show general definition danger
	34	top 1000
cleavesplit Large molecules cleave at their weakest points and produce smaller fragments.more Show sample from book Since Gandalf's head is now sacred, let us find one that it is right to cleave!33 more split (with violent force) 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.
	17	top 1000
endureendure → endured:suffered through I endured insult and injury without complaint.more Show sample from book how much more of this would they have to endure17 more suffer through 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 the spell endured17 more endure → endured:continued to exist Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages) to continue to exist
	26	top 2000
rouserouse → roused:awakened A persistent knocking at the door finally roused her from her dreams.more Show sample from book Some of my kin look just like trees now, and need something great to rouse them; and they speak only in whispers.†25 more to awaken, make more active, or excite Show general definition to awaken, make more active, or excite
	17	top 500
dwelldwell → dwells:lives in The creature dwells in the forest.more Show sample from book Do any folk dwell in these hills?16 more live (make 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)
	19	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 ...she took no heed of Sam and his cries, until he was close at hand.18 more notice (paying attention) Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	23	top 2000
glimmerglimmer → glimmered:shined (with a dim or wavering light) The moonlight glimmered on the lake.more Show sample from book he returned with the first glimmer of light,22 more dim light Show general definition for glimmer (as in: glimmering lights) a dim, wavering, or reflected light
	12	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book His eyes glittered. Such malice was in them that men stepped back from him.11 more desire to make others suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	15	top 1000
cowercower → cowered:showed fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit She cowered in fear.more Show sample from book In this evil hole they cowered, hoping in its shadow to escape the attention of the Eye.14 more cower → cowered:ducked in fear Show general definition show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
	13	top 1000
cunningclever and deceitful She came up with a cunning scheme to cheat him.more Show sample from book Gollum certainly had that cunning, and needed all of it.12 more cleverness and ability to deceive others Show general definition for cunning (as in: a cunning thief) being good at achieving goals through cleverness -- and typically through deception as well (tricking others)
	11	top 500
perceivesee (become aware of) I could perceive the ship coming over the horizon.more Show sample from book But he does not yet perceive our purpose clearly.10 more see (have awareness of) Show general definition for perceive (as in: though blind, can perceive light) to become aware of -- especially by using the senses (to see, hear, smell, feel, or taste)
	15	top 2000
hideousextremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening The beast had hideous fangs.more Show sample from book ...hundreds of hideous arms grasped at him from every side.14 more ugly and frightening
	10	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book The young perish and the old linger, withering.†9 more die, be destroyed, or cease to exist Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	7	top 2000
kindredsimilar in quality or character We are kindred spirits.more Show sample from book We will make such a chase as shall be accounted a marvel among the Three Kindreds: Elves, Dwarves, and Men.†6 more kindred → kindreds: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
	7
grovelshow complete submission She wasn't content just to win. She wanted to see me grovel.more Show sample from book 'Mercy, lord!' whined Wormtongue, grovelling on the ground.†6 more grovel → grovelling:showing submission or fear Show context notes This is a British spelling. Americans use groveling. Show general definition to show submission or fear -- sometimes by crawling or lying face down
	5	top 2000
defiledefile → defiled:polluted They defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it.more Show sample from book With it he washed clean the stones that Wormtongue had defiled.†4 more defile → defiled:spoiled the beauty or purity of something Show general definition to spoil the beauty or purity of something in various senses, including: pollute a pristine lake harm a reputation or good name damage or disrespect something sacred take a person's virginity in a disrespectful way
	5	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 you must ride now, or you will hinder us,' said Aragorn.†4 more slowed down or caused problems for Show general definition for hinder (as in: hindered by) slow down or cause problems for
	5
assailassail → assailed:attacked Critics assailed the author’s latest work, questioning its originality and depth.more Show sample from book Indeed he is in great fear, not knowing what mighty one may suddenly appear, wielding the Ring, and assailing him with war, seeking to cast him down and take his place.†4 more assail → assailing:to attack or cause trouble Show general definition to attack or cause trouble
	3	top 1000
loathreluctant or unwilling She is loath to admit a mistake.more Show sample from book Loth am I to begin a battle of one hundred against three.†2 more loath → loth:reluctant or unwilling to do something Show general definition reluctant or unwilling to do something Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loath with loathe which sounds very similar or the same. Loath is typically used as an adjective while loathe is a verb that means "to dislike greatly".