The Return of the King — Vocabulary
J. R. R. Tolkien
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	32	top 500
dwelldwell → dwells:lives in The creature dwells in the forest.more Show sample from book let us dwell in fair Ithilien and there make a garden.34 more live (make our homes) 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)
	3	top 500
dwellinghome There is a second dwelling unit on the property.more Show sample from book they established their dwellings in Middle-earth34 more dwelling → dwellings:homes Show general definition for dwelling (as in: a modest dwelling) a house or shelter in which someone lives
	32	top 500
despaira feeling of hopelessness Don't give in to despair.more Show sample from book For yet another weapon, swifter than hunger, the Lord of the Dark Tower had: dread and despair.33 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)
	2	top 500
despair#2lose hope Don't despair. Next year will be better.more Show sample from book From all his policies and webs of fear and treachery, from all his stratagems and wars his mind shook free; and throughout his realm a tremor ran, his slaves quailed, and his armies halted, and his captains suddenly steerless, bereft of will, wavered and despaired.†33 more despair → despaired:lost hope Show general definition for despair (as in: do not despair) lose hope or feel distress
	46
citadelfortified place She walked along the ancient walls of the citadel that once protected the entire city.more Show sample from book A strong citadel it was indeed, and not to be taken by a host of enemies, if there were any within that could hold weapons; unless...45 more fortress Show general definition a stronghold or fortress
	36	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 But unless your master has come to new wisdom, then with all his servants you will be in great peril.†35 more danger Show general definition danger
	17	top 1000
endureendure → endured:suffered through I endured insult and injury without complaint.more Show sample from book He stumbled on until he was crawling like a beast on the ground and felt that he could endure no more:17 more suffer through (or put up 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 But men are better than gates, and no gate will endure against our Enemy if men desert it.17 more Show general definition for endure (as in: endure through the ages) to continue to exist
	13	top 1000
sheercomplete She had a look of sheer joy.more Show sample from book And when Sam heard that he laughed aloud for sheer delight,13 more complete -- without restriction Show general definition for sheer (as in: sheer fun) complete or pure -- without restriction, qualification, or other elements (used for emphasis)
	1	top 1000
sheer#2so steep it is almost vertical Be careful on that road. There is a sheer drop-off on the right.more Show sample from book ...and beyond, going steeply down, was a road between sheer cliffs, knife-edged against the sky far above.13 more so steep as to be almost vertical
	22	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 And still Meriadoc the hobbit stood there blinking through his tears and no one spoke to him, indeed none seemed to heed him.21 more pay attention to Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	4	top 100
yieldproduce (lead to) The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.more Show sample from book In the Southfarthing the vines were laden, and the yield of 'leaf' was astonishing; and everywhere there was so much corn that at Harvest every barn was stuffed.†8 more production Show general definition for yield (as in: will yield valuable data) to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
	5	top 100
yield#2give in The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.more Show sample from book He has well repaid my trust; for if Elrond had not yielded to me, neither of you would have set out; and then far more grievous would the evils of this day have been.†8 more yield → yielded:gave in, gave way, or gave up Show general definition for yield (as in: yield to pressure) to give in, give way, or give up
	11	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 'The Lord's errands are urgent and should not be hindered by me,' said Beregond; 'but tell me quickly, if you may: what goes forward?†10 more hinder → hindered:slowed down or caused problems for Show general definition for hinder (as in: hindered by) slow down or cause problems for
	12
assailassail → assailed:attacked Critics assailed the author’s latest work, questioning its originality and depth.more Show sample from book Lone men, riding wild, brought word of foes assailing their east-borders, of orc-hosts marching in the Wold of Rohan.†11 more assail → assailing:to attack or cause trouble Show general definition to attack or cause trouble
	10	top 2000
kindredsimilar in quality or character We are kindred spirits.more Show sample from book Not he, yet one of his kindred.†9 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
	10
hallowedtreated as sacred She was buried in hallowed ground.more Show sample from book Farewell he bade to his free people, hearth and high-seat, and the hallowed places, where long he had feasted ere the light faded.†9 more treated as sacred or greatly respected Show general definition treated as sacred or greatly respected
	7
waylayambush I worried that the gang might be waiting outside to waylay me.more Show sample from book All went well that day, and no sight or sound had they of the enemy waiting to waylay them.†6 more to stop someone unexpectedly -- usually to attack or to talk Show general definition to stop someone unexpectedly -- usually to attack or to talk
	6
bastiondefensive fortification The universities were the last bastion of freedom, but they were purged of anyone who questioned official propaganda shortly after the coup.more Show sample from book Very strong it might be, wrought of steel and iron, and guarded with towers and bastions of indomitable stone, yet it was the key, the weakest point in all that high and impenetrable wall.5 more bastion → bastions:defensive fortifications Show general definition a strong defender or reliable example of something -- like a fortress or a person upholding a principle
	7	top 100
howeverdespite that (a transition word use to connect contrasting ideas) Most college application deadlines are in January and February. However, early admission deadlines are around November and some scholarships require even earlier deadlines.more Show sample from book Frodo and Sam, however, went back to ordinary attire, except that when there was need they both wore long grey cloaks, finely woven and clasped at the throat with beautiful brooches; and Mr. Frodo wore always a white jewel on a chain that he often would finger.†7 more a word used to connect contrasting ideas as when using though, in spite of that, in contrast, nevertheless, etc. Show general definition for however (as in: However, complications may...) though (or another expression that connects contrasting ideas) Show editor's word notes Based on idea 1 we might not expect idea 2, but this is a way of saying that even though idea 1 exists, we still have idea 2. Synonyms include in spite of that, despite that, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, in contrast and but.