cleave
15 uses
1 —15 uses as in:
cleave through
Since Gandalf's head is now sacred, let us find one that it is right to cleave!
cleave = split (with violent force)
Definition
Generally this sense of cleave means:to split something — especially with violent force
or:
to cut through something
or:
to cut through something
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
cower
15 uses
In this evil hole they cowered, hoping in its shadow to escape the attention of the Eye.
cowered = ducked in fear
Definition
Generally cower means:show fear by positioning the body as though afraid of being hit
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.11 |
cunning
1 use
Gollum certainly had that cunning, and needed all of it.
cunning = cleverness and ability to deceive others
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 4.2 |
descend
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
descend the mountain
...a great bird like an eagle high in the air, descending slowly in wide circles down towards the earth.
descending = moving downward
Definition
Generally this sense of descend means:move or slope downward
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.1 |
despair
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
she felt despair
There he lay for a while, fighting with despair.
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 | 1 use |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.3 |
discord
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
discordant music
he made a deep rumbling noise like a discord on a great organ
discord = unpleasant sound
Definition
Generally this sense of discord means:unpleasant sound — especially a combination of sounds that sound wrong together (though sometimes done intentionally in music)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.4 |
dwell (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
It dwells in the forest.
Do any folk dwell in these hills?
dwell = live (make their home in)
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 3.2 |
2 —3 uses as in:
a modest dwelling
For he came here two days ago and bore them away to his dwelling far off by the roots of the mountains.
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 3.2 |
endure (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
endured the pain
how much more of this would they have to endure
endure = suffer through
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to suffer through (or put up with something difficult or unpleasant)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 18 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.1 |
2 —1 use as in:
endure through the ages
the spell endured
endured = continued to exist
Definition
Generally this sense of endure means:to continue to exist
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.10 |
heed
19 uses
...she took no heed of Sam and his cries, until he was close at hand.
heed = notice (paying attention)
Definition
Generally heed means:pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested — especially with regard to a warning or other advice
Word Statistics
| Book | 19 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.2 |
hideous
15 uses
...hundreds of hideous arms grasped at him from every side.
hideous = ugly and frightening
Definition
Generally hideous means:extremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening
Word Statistics
| Book | 15 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.2 |
malicious
12 uses
His eyes glittered. Such malice was in them that men stepped back from him.
malice = desire to make others suffer
Definition
Generally malicious means:wanting to see others suffer; or threatening evil
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
mortal
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
mortal body
For it is perilous for mortal man to walk out of the world of this Sun,
mortal = human (especially merely human)
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.5 |
perceive
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
though blind, can perceive light
But he does not yet perceive our purpose clearly.
perceive = see (have awareness of)
Definition
Generally this sense of perceive means:to become aware of — especially by using the senses (to see, hear, smell, feel, or taste)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.5 |
ravine
12 uses
The orc-band began to descend a narrow ravine leading down into the misty plain below.
ravine = a deep narrow steep-sided valley
Definition
Generally ravine means:a deep narrow steep-sided valley — especially one formed by running water
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.2 |
remonstrate
1 use
They heard the gentle remonstrance of a kindly king with an erring but much-loved minister.
remonstrance = argument in protest or opposition
Definition
Generally remonstrate means:argue, complain, or criticize
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.10 |
sheer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
a sheer cliff
From that point there was a sheer drop, for the cliff was slightly undercut, and even Gollum could not find a hold of any kind.
sheer = so steep it is almost vertical
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.1 |
waver
11 uses
The misty lights wavered, dimmed, and went out.
wavered = weakened
Definition
Generally waver means:to move back and forth (shake or quiver)
or:
to change, be unsure, or weak
or:
to change, be unsure, or weak
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 4.6 |
wrath
12 uses
If the Great Sea had risen in wrath and fallen on the hills with storm, it could have worked no greater ruin.
wrath = intense anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3.2 |