assault
13 uses
The assault on Helm's Deep had begun,
assault = attack
Definition
Generally assault means:to attack someone or something physically or verbally; or to threaten violence
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 24 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
benevolent
1 use
His face was long, with a high forehead, he had deep darkling eyes, hard to fathom, though the look that they now bore was grave and benevolent, and a little weary.
benevolent = kind
Definition
Generally benevolent means:kind, generous, or charitable
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.10 |
breach
10 uses
...the breach in it is wide.
breach = gap (in the wall)
Definition
Generally breach means:break — as in break an understanding or a break (gap) in a wall
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.8 |
daunt
7 uses
I do not know which daunts me more: Fangorn, or the thought of the long road through Rohan on foot,
daunts = discourages or intimidates
Definition
Generally daunt means:to discourage or intimidate
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
discern
3 uses
Good and ill have not changed since yesteryear. ... It is a man's part to discern them,
discern = to notice or understand something that is not obvious
Definition
Generally discern means:to notice or understand something — often something that is not obvious
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.2 |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish that there is a need
But so great a claim will need to be established and clear proofs will be required, should this Aragorn ever come to Minas Tirith.†
established = proved
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.5 |
furtive
3 uses
They were speaking low and furtively, but they were near, and coming nearer.
furtively = while taking pains to avoid being heard
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.4 |
grave
3 uses
Maybe, I have been saved by this hobbit from a grave blunder.†
grave = serious and solemn
Definition
Generally this sense of grave means:serious and/or solemn
The exact meaning of this sense of grave can depend upon its context. For example:
- "This is a grave problem," or "a situation of the utmost gravity." — important, dangerous, or causing worry
- "She was in a grave mood upon returning from the funeral." — sad or solemn
- "She looked me in the eye and gravely promised." — in a sincere and serious manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
inevitable
2 uses
It was inevitable that they should make alliance.
inevitable = certain to happen
Definition
Generally inevitable means:certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 23 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.10 |
minute
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
minute size
But Legolas stood beside him, shading his bright elven-eyes with his long slender hand, and he saw not a shadow, nor a blur, but the small figures of horsemen, many horsemen, and the glint of morning on the tips of their spears was like the twinkle of minute stars beyond the edge of mortal sight.†
minute = tiny
Definition
Generally this sense of minute means:small, exceptionally small, or insignificant
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.2 |
ominous
6 uses
When day came at last the hobbits were surprised to see how much closer the ominous mountains had already drawn.
ominous = threatening or foreshadowing evil or bad things to come
Definition
Generally ominous means:threatening (suggestive of, or foreshadowing bad things to come)
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.4 |
prudent
1 use
Prudence is one thing, but discourtesy is another.
prudence = sensible care
Definition
Generally prudent means:sensible and careful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.6 |
refuge
10 uses
Such a refuge would be to the liking of a dwarf.
refuge = a safe place
Definition
Generally refuge means:something giving protection — especially a safe place
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.6 |
revere
3 uses
He had noted that Faramir seemed to refer to Elves with reverence,
reverence = deep respect and admiration
Definition
Generally revere means:regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration — sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.5 |
solemn
12 uses
These deep eyes were now surveying them, slow and solemn,
solemn = very seriously
Definition
Generally solemn means:in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 20 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.4 |
sullen
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a sullen mood
But the name of Aragorn had put Gollum into a sullen mood.
sullen = gloomy or bad
Definition
Generally this sense of sullen means:being unhappy and withdrawn
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.3 |
summon
9 uses
He has no Stone to see with, and cannot answer the summons.
summons = call (to come)
Definition
Generally summon means:to call forth
The exact meaning of summon can depend upon its context. For example:
- "summon to court" — officially demand that someone appear in court (call them to court)
- "summon the team to a meeting" — call upon the team members to attend a meeting
- "summon help" — call others to come and help
- "summon her courage" — call forth her courage from within
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 35 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.6 |
treacherous
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a scheming, treacherous assistant
"The treacherous are ever distrustful," answered Gandalf wearily.
treacherous = those likely to betray
Definition
Generally this sense of treacherous means:guilty of betrayal or deception or likely to betray or deceive
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.10 |
treachery
9 uses
How far back his treachery goes, who can guess?
treachery = betrayal
Definition
Generally treachery means:the behavior of someone who pretends to be a friend and then tricks, cheats, or betrays
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.4 |
wretched
8 uses
"Yes, wretched we are, precious," he whined.
wretched = unfortunate and 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 | 8 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.9 |