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 | 20 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 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.10 |
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
(editor's note: The root word is most commonly seen as the adjective daunting which describes something as "discouraging or intimidating". Note that the "-less" suffix means without, so dauntless is to daunt as hopeless is to hope and careless is to care.)
(editor's note: The root word is most commonly seen as the adjective daunting which describes something as "discouraging or intimidating". Note that the "-less" suffix means without, so dauntless is to daunt as hopeless is to hope and careless is to care.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
descend
14 uses
...a great bird like an eagle high in the air, descending slowly in wide circles down towards the earth.
descending = moving downward
Definition
Generally descend means:move or slope downward
or:
come from a higher or prior level in a hierarchy — as a person from an ancestor
or:
come or arrive — especially from above — such as night or darkness
or:
come from a higher or prior level in a hierarchy — as a person from an ancestor
or:
come or arrive — especially from above — such as night or darkness
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 33 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.1 |
despair
14 uses
There he lay for a while, fighting with despair.
despair = hopelessness
Word Statistics
| Book | 14 uses |
| Library | 27 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.3 |
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 | 7 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 | 5 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 |
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 | 21 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.10 |
minuteness
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
minute size; or minute description
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 = small, detailed, or careful
Definition
Generally this sense of minuteness means:very small
or:
detailed (including even small considerations); or careful (done with care)
or:
detailed (including even small considerations); or careful (done with care)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 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 | 11 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 | 12 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:very serious—and often dignified
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 22 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.4 |
sullen
10 uses
But the name of Aragorn had put Gollum into a sullen mood.
sullen = gloomy or bad
Definition
Generally sullen means:showing a gloomy or bad mood — often by not interacting with others in a friendly way
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 12 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.6 |
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
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 29 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.6 |
treacherous
9 uses
"The treacherous are ever distrustful," answered Gandalf wearily.
treacherous = those likely to betray
Definition
Generally treacherous means:dangerous
or:
likely to betray; or guilty of betrayal
or:
likely to betray; or guilty of betrayal
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.3 |
treachery
9 uses
How far back his treachery goes, who can guess?
treachery = an act of deliberate 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 | 4 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 such as:
- unfortunate or miserable
- of poor quality
- morally bad
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.9 |