Uncommon words: Difference between revisions

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Within [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s works, there are many '''uncommon''', archaic, obsolete and dialectal words (especially from the dialects of the United Kingdom) which might cause confusion to readers and may make a passage of text appear unwieldy.
Within [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s works, there are many '''uncommon''', archaic, obsolete and dialectal words (especially from the dialects of the United Kingdom) which might cause confusion to readers and may make a passage of text appear unwieldy.
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Word Definition
==A==
aba garment of camel or goat hair; camel or goat-hair fabric
* '''abide''' - put up with, tolerate; await;
abacinate to blind by putting red-hot copper basin near the eyes
* '''abjure''' - renounce, turn away from
abactor cattle thief
* '''abroad''' - in the open, at large
abaculus small tile for mosaic
* '''adamant''' - diamond, or (more generally) any very hard substance
abaft toward or at the stern of a ship; further aft
* '''afield''' - away, especially from home
abampere unit equivalent to 10 amperes
* '''aforetime''' - in earlier times
abapical at the lowest point
* '''aghast''' - terrified, amazed
abarticular not connected with the joint
* '''agin''' - a dialect word meaning "against", "next to"
abasement action of humbling or degrading
* '''aloof''' - hanging over ones head
abasia inability to walk due to lack of muscular coordination
* '''amiss''' - not as things should be
abask in genial warmth
* '''an''' - if
abatis rampart of felled trees and branches
* '''anon''' - soon; ever and anon often
abatjour skylight or device to direct light into a room
* '''apace''' - quickly
abattoir public slaughterhouse
* '''argent''' - silver
abature trail through wood beaten down by a stag
* '''arrassed''' - covered with arras (rich figured tapestry)
abb yarn used for warp
* '''assuage''' - soften, lessen, soothe
abba Syriac or Coptic bishop
* '''astonied''' - stunned, astonished
abbatial of, like or pertaining to abbots or an abbey
* '''aught''' - anything
abbozzo preliminary sketch
abditive remote; secret; hidden
abdominous having a paunch or big belly
abducent turning away; bearing away from
abeam in a line at right angles to the length of a vessel, on the beam
abear to bear; to comport; to behave
abecedarian of, like or pertaining to the order of the alphabet; rudimentary
abecedism word created from the initials of words in a phrase
abele white poplar tree
aberdevine alternate name for the siskin
aberuncators long tool for pruning tall branches
abessive indicating absence or lack
abiectic of, like or pertaining to fir trees or fir sap
abigail a lady's maid
abigeus cattle rustler
abiogenesis spontaneous generation of living matter
abiotrophy degeneration; loss of physical vitality or ability
abirritate to alleviate irritation; to reduce sensitivity
abiturient pupil leaving school for university
abject humble; miserable; craven
ablactation weaning of a child from its mother's milk
ablative indicating direction from or time when
ablator thermal protection on outside of spacecraft
ablaut variation in root vowel of words to change meaning
ablegate papal envoy or legate
ablepsia blindness
ablow in a blowing state
abluent cleanser or cleansing product
ablutomania mania for washing oneself
abnegate to renounce or repudiate
abodement an omen; a foretelling
aboideau tide gate
abolla Roman military cloak
abomasum ruminant's fourth stomach
aboral away from the mouth
abord to accost; to approach
aborning during birth; while being born
aborticide killing of a fetus; abortion
abortuary anti-abortion term for an abortion clinic
aboulia loss of ability to make decisions
aboulomania pathological indecisiveness
aboutsledge largest blacksmith's hammer
abra narrow mountain pass
abradant a substance that abrades
abraid to awaken or rouse
abraxas gem engraved with mystical word and bearing human-animal figure
abreuvoir joint or gap between two stones in masonry
abroach in a condition to allow liquor to run out
abrosia fasting
abscind to pare, reduce, cut off or away
abscissa horizontal distance from a fixed line to a point
abscission cutting off; cutting away
absconce lantern used in monasteries and night offices
abseil to descend a rock face using a double rope
absentaneous done in absence; pertaining to absence
absinthial of, like or pertaining to wormwood; bitter
absinthism disease resembling alcoholism
absit leave to pass one night away from college
absolutism doctrine of government by a single absolute ruler; autocracy
absolutive indicating subject or object of intransitive verb
absolutory forgiving or absolving
absonant discordant; abhorrent
absorbefacient causing or promoting absorption
absorptiometer instrument for measuring solubility of gases in liquids
absquatulate to decamp; to leave quickly; to flee
absterge wipe clean; expunge; purge; purify
absurdism doctrine that we live in an irrational universe
abterminal going from the end inwards
abthane monastic region of the old Irish church
abulia lack of ability to make decisions; aboulia
abuna Ethiopian patriarch
abusion misuse; outrage; deception
abutment masonry on a wall that supports an arch
abvolt unit of electrical potential equal to one hundred millionth of a volt
aby to make amends; atone; pay a penalty
abyssopelagic of, like or pertaining to the depths of the ocean
academicism doctrine that nothing can be known
acanaceous bearing prickles or thistles; prickly
acantha prickle
acanthous spiny; prickly
acapnia lack or deficiency of carbon dioxide
acapnotic non-smoker; non-smoking
acariasis irritating itching insect infestation
acaricide killer of mites and ticks
acarine of, like or pertaining to ticks or mites
acarology study of mites
acarophobia fear of itching or of insects causing itching
acarpous sterile; not bearing fruit
acatalectic having complete or full number of syllables in a poetic line
acatalepsy the unknowableness of all things to a certainty
acatamathesia inability to understand data presented to the senses
acates provisions that have been purchased
acatour provisioner; quartermaster
acaudate tailless
acaulescent having a very short stem
accelerometer instrument for measuring acceleration or vibrations
accend to kindle
accensor acolyte
accentor songbird
acceptilation remission of debt or liability through fictitious repayment
accessit prize for students in second place; honourable mention
acciaccatura very short note played before a longer one
accidence grammar book; science of inflections in grammar
accidentalism theory that events do not have causes
accidie sloth; physical torpor
accinge to gird
accipiter bandage worn around the nose
accipitral like a bird of prey; rapacious
accipitrine of, like or pertaining to falcons and hawks
accismus in rhetoric, pretending to refuse something
accite to cite; to summon
acclinate sloping upwards
acclivity upward slope
accloy to hobble with a horseshoe nail
accolade curved architectural moulding; vertical line joining two musical staves
accolent neighbouring
accosted in heraldry, two figures placed side by side
accoucheur male midwife
accoucheuse female midwife
accourage to encourage
accourt to entertain
accoy to subdue; to pacify; to soothe
accrementition increase or growth by adding similar material
accretion accumulation; addition of parts to form a whole
accubation reclining as on a couch
accubitum crescent-shaped couch
accusative indicating direct object of a verb
acedia listlessness; sloth
aceldama site or scene of violence or bloodshed
aceology therapeutics
acequia irrigation ditch
acerate of, like or resembling a needle
acerbate to embitter; to irritate
acerous lacking horns or antennae
acersecomic one whose hair has never been cut
acervate heaped; clustered
acervuline like or in small mounds or heaps
acescence becoming sour; souring; turning of milk
acetabulum small anatomical cup or hollow, such as a sucker
acetarious referring to plants that are used in salads
acetimeter instrument for measuring strength of vinegar
achaenocarp any dry indehiscent fruit
acharné furious or desperate (of a battle)
achene small one-seeded fruit or naked seed of plant
achloropsia colour-blindness with respect to green
achor eruption or scab on the head
achromatopsia colour-blindness
achroous colourless
acicular needle-shaped
acidaemia undue acidity of blood
acidimeter instrument for measuring concentration of acids
acidulous sharp or bitter-tasting
acierate to turn into steel
acinaceous full of kernels
acinaciform scimitar-shaped
aciniform shaped like a berry
acinus berry which grows in clusters
acipenser sturgeon
aclinic having no inclination or magnetic dip
acock defiantly
acoemeti ancient monastic order who maintained eternal choir service
acology study of medical remedies
acolous limbless
acolouthic of, like or pertaining to an after-image or other after-sensation
acopic curing or relieving fatigue
acoria pathologically great appetite
acosmism disbelief in existence of eternal universe distinct from God
acouasm ringing noise in head
acquest object which is acquired
acracy government by none; anarchy
acratia impotence
acre-breadth old unit of length of 22 yards
acritochromacy colour-blindness
acroamatic esoteric
acrocephalous having a pointed or peaked skull
acrography the art of making wood blocks in relief
acrolith wooden statue with stone extremities
acrologic of, like or pertaining to initials
acromegaly glandular disorder causing gigantism of extremities
acronical occurring at nightfall or sunset
acronym word formed from initial letters of another word
acronyx ingrown nail
acropathy disease or illness of the extremities
acrophobia fear of heights
acrophonic using a symbol for the initial sound of a thing
acropodium pedestal upon which a statue rests
acroscopic looking or moving towards the apex
acroteleutic phrase or words at the end of a psalm
acroterion pedestal or ornament at the angle of a pediment
acrotism absence of pulsing
actinism action of solar radiation causing chemical change
actinograph instrument used to calculate time of photographic exposure
actinometer instrument for measuring incident radiation
actinotherapy use of ultraviolet rays as medical therapy
actuate communicate motion to; cause
aculeate prickly; pointed; stinging; a stinging insect
aculeiform shaped like a thorn
acultomancy divination using needles
acuminate tapered; pointed; to sharpen
acutiator sharpener of weapons
acutorsion twisting artery with needle to stop bleeding
acyanopsia colour-blindness with respect to blue
acyesis female sterility
acyrology incorrect diction or pronunciation
adactylous lacking fingers or claws
adamantine unbreakable; impenetrable
adamitism nakedness for religious reasons
adaxial next to or towards the axis
addax large African antelope
additament thing added or appended; heraldic ornament
addititious of, pertaining to or resulting from addition
addle putrid; barren; muddled
addorsed turned back to back in heraldry
adduce cite as proof or instance
adeciduate evergreen; coniferous
adeem to cancel a bequest by destruction of the object
adelaster provisional name for a plant whose flowers are unknown
adelphogamy sharing of a wife by two or more brothers
ademption revocation of donation by donor
adenalgia painful swelling of a gland
adenia glandular swelling
adeniform shaped like a gland
adenography descriptive work on the glandular system
adenoid of, like or pertaining to or like a gland
adenology study of glands
adenotomy removal or excision of gland
adespota anonymous works
adessive indicating place where or proximity to
adevism denial of gods of mythology and legend
adharma unrighteousness
adhibit to attach; to admit; to administer
adhocracy government in an unstructured fashion; an unstructured organization
adiabatic without transference of heat
adiaphoresis absence of perspiration; inability to perspire
adiaphorism doctrine of theological indifference or latitudinarianism
adiaphoron tenet or belief on which a theological system is indifferent
adiapneustia defective perspiration
adiathermancy impermeability to radiant energy
adipescent becoming fat or fatty
adipic of, like or pertaining to fatty substances
adipocere fatty substance occurring in corpses left in moist areas
adipsia absence or lack of thirst
adit opening or passage into a mine
adjudge to decide; to award
adjutage nozzle
adjutor helper; assistant
adjuvant substance added to make vaccine more effective
admanuensis one who takes an oath on a religious book
admaxillary connected to or near the jaw
admeasurement the act of measuring or apportioning
adminicle that which supports or aids, especially evidence
adnascent growing on some other thing
adnominal indicating adjective used as a noun
adnomination punning
adnoun adjective serving or used as a noun
adonise to adorn oneself
adoptionism belief that Christ was the adopted and not natural son of God
adoral near the mouth
adosculation impregnation by contact alone or by wind
adoxography good writing on a trivial subject
adoxy beliefs that are neither orthodox nor heterodox
adpress to press together
adrogation adoption of a boy or girl before adolescence
adscititious added; additional
adscript attached or feudally bound to the soil or earth
adsorb to attract and stick to the surface
adumbrate indicate faintly; foreshadow
adunc hooked
aduncate shaped like a hook or crook
adust burnt; scorched
advection horizontal movement of air
advehent bringing inwards
advenient due to outside causes
adventitious accidental; casual
adventive a thing or person coming from outside
adversaria miscellaneous notes; commonplace books
adversative word or phrase expressing opposition
advert refer to in speech or writing
advertorial advertisement presented as if it were editorial material
advesperate darken; become late
advocaat liqueur containing rum and raw eggs
advowson right of presentation to church living
adynamia helplessness; lack of strength
adytum sacred part of a temple or church; church chancel
aedile magistrate in charge of games, markets or buildings
aedoeology science of generative organs
aegilops stye in inner corner of eye
aegis protection; support
aegrotat medical certificate of illness excusing student's sickness
aeneous shining bronze colour
aeolian giving forth a tone as if produced by the wind
aeolipyle hollow ball that turns through steam escaping through valves
aeolistic long-winded
aeolotropy variation in physical properties on basis of position
aeonian lasting for an immeasurably long period of time
aerenchyma respiratory tissue
aeriform of the form or shape of gas; gaseous
aerious of the nature of air; airy
aerobe organism requiring oxygen to survive
aerobiology study of airborne organisms
aerodonetics science or study of gliding
aerogenesis forming or generating gas or air
aerography descriptive work on the atmosphere
aerolite meteorite
aerolith stone that falls from the sky; meteorite
aerolithology study of aerolites; meteorites
aerology study of the atmosphere
aeromancy divination by means of the weather
aerometer instrument for measuring weight or density of gas
aerophane thin crinkled semi-transparent fabric
aerophilately collecting of air-mail stamps
aerophobia fear of flying or draughts
aerophore instrument used to inflate stillborn child's lungs
aeropleustic of, like or pertaining to aerial navigation
aerostat any lighter-than air craft; balloon
aerostatics science of air pressure; art of ballooning
aeruginous of, like or pertaining to copper-rust or verdigris
aerugo rust of any metal
aesc letter used in Old English for 'ae'
aesopian conveying meaning only to those in a secret movement
aesthesia sensibility
aesthesiogenic producing or causing a sensation
aestheticism doctrine that beauty is central to other moral principles
aestival of, like or pertaining to summer
aethrioscope instrument for measuring temperature variations due to sky conditions
aeviternal everlasting; endless
aeviternity eternal existence
afebrile not suffering from fever
affabulation moral of a fable
affeer to assess; to reduce to a fixed sum
afferent bearing, bringing or carrying towards
affiance to trust; to betroth
affine a relation by marriage
afflated inspired
afflatus inspiration; divine impetus
afforce to strengthen a jury by adding skilled people
afforest to cover with forest; to convert into hunting grounds
affranchise to free from slavery or similar obligation
affray an attack or assault; an alarm or fright
affrayer disturber of the peace
affreightment hiring of a vessel
affreux frightening
affricate consonant that begins as a plosive and ends as a fricative
affronté of two heraldic animals, facing one another
affusion pouring on; as of baptismal water
afore before
afterclap unexpected damaging or unsettling after-effect
afterdeck deck behind a ship's bridge
aftergame rematch; means employed after first turn of affairs
afterguard men who work the aft sails on the quarterdeck and poop deck
afterings last milk drawn when milking a cow
afterpiece minor piece after a play
aftershaft second shaft coming out of the quill of a feather
afterwil locking of the barn after the cows have been let out
agacerie allurement; coquetry
agalactia failure or inability to produce milk
agalloch eaglewood
agamist one who opposes marriage
agamogenesis reproduction by non-sexual means
agape selfless Christian love; a feast in celebration of such love
agapeistic characterized by Christian love
agapet lover of women
agapetae churchwomen who live platonically with celibate men
agapism ethics of love
agastopia admiration of part of another's body
agatewear type of ceramic resembling agate stone
agathism belief in ultimate triumph of good despite evil means
agathodaimon one's good genius; the good part of one's conscience
agelast one who never laughs
agennesic sterile; impotent
agenocratia opposition to birth control
agentive indicating agent performing an action
ageotropic moving or turning away from the earth
agersia quality of not growing old
ageusia damage to the sense of taste
agger artificial mound or elevation for military use
aggerose in heaps; piled up
aggiornamento modernization of ideas of the Catholic church
aggrade to raise level of a surface through depositing detritus
aggrandize increase power or rank of; make greater
aggrate to gratify or please
aggry type of West African glass beads
agio premium paid on foreign currency exchange
agiotage playing the stock market; speculation
agist to charge with a public burden; to take in to graze for payment
agistment land tax assessed for cattle pasturing
aglet metal point attached to a lace or string
agma symbol or sound for a velar nasal consonant "ng"
agminate grouped
agnail sore, corn or hangnail on the toe or foot
agname name over and above the ordinary name and surname
agnation kinship
agnize to acknowledge or confess
agnomen additional name; surname; nickname
agnosic unable to recognize familiar objects due to brain damage
agnosticism doctrine that we can know nothing beyond material phenomena
agnosy ignorance
agoge tempo or sequence in melody in ancient Greek music
agogic accenting a musical note by slightly dwelling on it
agomphosis looseness in the teeth
agone ago
agonic making no angle
agonism competition; effort; striving
agonistes someone in the grip of inner conflict
agonistic of, like or pertaining to or being aggressive or argumentative
agonistics art and theory of prize-fighting
agoraphobia fear of open spaces
agowilt sudden sickening and unnecessary fear
agraffe hooked clasp used by masons to hold blocks together
agrapha sayings of Jesus not found in the canonical gospels
agraphia inability to write
agravic having no gravity; pertaining to the condition of zero-gravity
agrestic of the fields; rural; unpolished
agriology the comparative study of primitive peoples
agrize to horrify; to disfigure
agrizoiatry medicine specializing in wild animals
agrobiology study of plant nutrition; soil yields
agrology study of agricultural soils
agromania intense desire to be in open spaces
agronomics study of productivity of land
agrostography writing about grasses
agrostology science or study of grasses
agrypnia insomnia
agrypnotic anything taken to aid wakefulness
aguardiente Spanish or Portuguese brandy
agyiophobia fear of crossing busy streets
agynary lacking female genitals
ahimsa the duty of sparing animal life; non-violence
ahull with sails furled and helm lashed to the lee-side
ai three-toed sloth
aichmophobia fear of sharp or pointed objects
aiger tidal wave occurring in rivers
aigrette a spray of jewels; ornamental feather plume; an egret
aiguille sharp; needle-like peak of rock
aileron flap on airplane wing for lateral balance
ailette plate of armour worn on shoulder
ailuromancy divination by watching cats' movements
ailurophilia love of cats
ailurophobia fear of cats
aioli garlic-flavoured mayonnaise
airscrew aircraft propeller
aischrolatry worship of filth, dirt, or smut
aisling a vision or dream
ait small island in lake or river
aitchbone rump bone of cattle; rump cut of beef
aiué elderly; senior
akeratophorous not horned
akinesia loss of ability to move
ala membranous outgrowth on a plant or animal
alabamine alternate name for the element astatine
alack expression of sorrow or regret
alalia loss of ability to speak
alameda public walkway between rows of poplar trees
alamort half-dead; dejected
alannah term of endearment used with one's child
alar of, like or pertaining to the wing or shoulder
alastrim mild form of smallpox
alate lately
alation state of having wings; position of wings on a creature
alaudine of, like or pertaining to skylarks
alb long white robe worn by priests
albarello cylindrical jar used to hold drugs
albata variety of German silver
albedo whiteness, as of a celestial object
albescent becoming white; whiteness
albicant whitish; becoming white
albificative able to whiten or be whitened
albion medieval astronomical device for finding positions of planets
albocracy government by white people
albolith white cement formed from magnesia and silica
albugineous like the white of an eye or an egg; white-coloured
alcahest alchemical universal solvent
alcatote silly elf
alcine of, like or pertaining to elks; of, like or pertaining to auks
alcoholometer instrument for measuring proportion of alcohol in solutions
alcovinometer instrument to measure strength of wine
aleatoric depending on contingencies or chance
aleberry beverage made from ale, spices, and dried bread
alecost costmary, an herb used in flavouring ale
alectormancy divination by sacrificing a rooster
alectryomachy cock-fighting
alectryomancy divination by watching a rooster gather corn kernels
alee on or toward the lee
alegar vinegar made by turning ale sour
alembicated over-refined
alepine mixed wool and silk or mohair and cotton fabric
alethiology study of truth
aleuromancy divination using flour or meal
alexia inability to read
alexipharmic antidote
alfet cauldron of boiling water used during trials by ordeal
alforge wallet or leather bag
algedonics science of pleasure and pain
algefacient cooling
algetic causing or producing pain
algicide killer of algae
algid cold; chilly
alginuresis painful urination
algolagnia sexual pleasure derived from inflicting pain
algology study of algae
algophobia fear of pain
algor coldness; shivering fit
algraphy art of printing from aluminum plates
alible nourishing
alidade revolving index on astrolabe or other instrument for reading gradations
aliform wing-shaped
aligerous winged
aliped having wings on the feet
aliphatic of, like or pertaining to fat or fats in general
aliquant number dividing into another with a remainder
aliquot number dividing into another without leaving a remainder
aliter requiring a different law or rule to be applied
alk sap or resin from turpentine trees
alkalimeter instrument for measuring strength of alkalines
alkanet reddish plant-based dye
allantiasis food poisoning resulting from inadequate preservation
allantoid shaped like a sausage
allative indicating movement towards
allemain enormous pudding out of which acrobats leap
allemande courtly baroque dance in which the arms are interlaced
alliaceous of, like or pertaining to garlic; garlicky
allicient attracting something else
allision intentional collision of two ships
allocatur amount allowed for costs
allochthonous formed or produced elsewhere or externally
allodic not subject to a superior
allogamy cross-fertilization
allogeneous different
allography writing another individual's signature
allolalia speech disorder featuring randomly spoken words
allonge paper attached to commercial bill requiring signatures
allonym other person's name used by an author
allotheism belief in or worship of strange gods
allotriophagy craving for strange foods
allotropy of an element, having more than one form
alluvion effect of water impacting on shoreline
almacantar circle of altitude, parallel to the horizon
almagest textbook or handbook, especially dealing with astronomy
almandine violet-coloured garnet
almoner giver of alms; social worker in a hospital
almuce cloth or fur hood
alnager inspector of cloth
alogism illogical statement
alomancy divination using salt
alopecia baldness; hair loss
alopecoid of or resembling a fox
alow below
alpaca fine wool made from alpaca hair
alpenglow reddish glow appearing at sunrise or sunset in mountains
alpenstocker mountain climber
alpestrine of, like or pertaining to alpine regions
alphenic sugary candy used in medicine
alphitomancy divination using loaves of barley
alphonsin instrument used to extract bullets from bodies
alt high musical tone
altarage payment to priest for mass; offerings at altar
alterity state of being different
alternatim alternately
altiloquence pompous or high speech
altisonant high-sounding
altitonant thundering on high or loudly
altricial having young requiring care for a lengthy period
aludel pear-shaped pot used in sublimation
aluminiferous bearing aluminum
alveary beehive; area of the ear where wax collects; word-list
alveolate of or like a honeycomb
alveromancy divination using sounds
alviducous purgative
alvine of the belly
ama a Japanese pearl-diver
amadelphous outgoing; gregarious
amain to a high degree; exceedingly; at full speed
amanous lacking hands
amanuensis one employed to write from dictation
amaranth imaginary flower reputed never to fade
amaranthine immortal; undying; deep purple-red colour
amasesis inability to chew
amasthenic focusing light rays to a single point
amathophobia fear of dust
amaxophobia fear of riding in a car
ambages windings; roundabout ways; delays
ambeer juice from chewing tobacco
ambisinistrous awkward in the use of both hands
ambit circuit; scope; compass; confines
ambo early Christian raised reading desk or pulpit
ambry recess for church vessels; cupboard or niche
ambsace bad luck; a low score
ambulatory aisle down the east end of a church
ambulomancy divination by taking a walk
ambulophobia fear of walking
ambustion burn or scald
amende fine or reparation paid
ament a person who fails to develop mentally
amerce to fine; to deprive; to punish
ametropia abnormal optical refraction
amice strip of fine linen worn as cloak or wrap by priest at mass
amicicide murder of a friend
amidships midway between the bow and stern of a ship
ammeter instrument for measuring electrical current
ammophilous sand-loving; preferring to dwell in sand
amnicolist one who lives near a river
amniomancy divination by examining afterbirth
amorce percussion cap for a toy pistol
amoret love sonnet or song
amoretto a cherub or spirit of love
ampelidious of, like or pertaining to vines
ampelography scientific description of the vine
ampere unit for measuring amount of electrical current
amphibiolith fossilized amphibian
amphibolic able to turn both backwards and forwards; double-jointed
amphibology ambiguity in language; dual grammatical meaning
amphigean occurring in both hemispheres of the brain or body
amphigory a nonsense verse
amphimixis interbreeding; intermixing of two individuals' genetic matter
amphipneust animal with both lungs and gills
amphisbaena mythical two-headed serpent or lizard
amphiscian of, like or pertaining to torrid regions
amplexus rutting of frogs and toads
ampliative supplemental; additional
amplivagant stretching far; having a great scope
ampulla vessel for holy oil or wine for coronations or rituals
amrita Hindu ambrosia bestowing immortality
amygdaloid almond-shaped; of, like or pertaining to tonsils
amyloid containing or pertaining to starch; starchy
amyous lacking muscle
an if
ana in equal quantities
anabasis journey leading upwards; first phase of an illness
anabiosis return to life after apparent death
anacampserote something which can bring back a lost love
anacamptic reflecting or reflected light; sound or water
anacardic of, like or pertaining to cashews
anacathartic causing vomiting or expectoration
anachoric foreign or geographically absurd relating to a country
anaclastic refractive; of, like or pertaining to refraction
anaclitic dependent on other phenomenon or ability
anacoluthon moving to new topic of discussion before finishing current one
anacrisis interrogation accompanied by torture
anacrusis syllable prior to the normal rhythm of a verse
anacusic completely deaf
anadem wreath, fillet or band
anadiplosis repeating last word of clause at beginning of next clause
anadromous fish which ascend rivers to spawn
anaerectic destructive
anaesthesiology study of anaesthetics
anagalactic coming from or existing beyond our own galaxy
anaglyph ornament in low relief
anaglyptics art of carving in bas-relief
anaglyptography art of engraving so as to give the subject an embossed appearance
anagnorisis recognition leading to denouement of a play
anagogy mystical interpretation
anagraphy art of constructing catalogues
analects crumbs that fall from the table
analemma sundial
analgia inability to feel pain
anamnesis reminiscence; prayer recalling death and resurrection of Jesus
anamorphic changing to a more complex form
anandrious impotent
ananym name written backward; often used as synonym
anapeiratic caused by excessive use
anapest two short metrical syllables followed by one long one
anaphalantiasis falling out of the eyebrows
anaphia loss of sense of touch
anaphora repetition of a word at beginning of successive phrases for emphasis
anapnea recovery of one's breath; restoration of breath
anastasic convalescent
anastrophe reversing or inverting word order as rhetorical device
anatine of, like or pertaining to ducks
anatocism compound interest
anatreptic overcoming; overturning
anaudia loss of voice
anbury soft fleshy tumour in horses
anchorite one withdrawn from the world for religious reasons
ancillary auxiliary; secondary
ancipitous two-edged and flattened
ancistroid hook-shaped
ancon elbow
anconoid of, like or pertaining to the elbow
ancoral of, shaped like or resembling an anchor
ancress female religious recluse
andiron iron bar used to support the end of a log in a fire
andragogy science of teaching adults
androcracy government by men
androlepsia governmental kidnapping for political purposes
andromania nymphomania
androphagy cannibalism
aneabil single; unmarried
anele to administer extreme unction to
anemocracy government by the wind or by whim
anemograph instrument for measuring pressure and velocity of wind
anemography treatise on the winds
anemology study of winds
anemometer instrument for measuring wind velocity
anemophilous pollinated by wind
anencephalic lacking a brain
anent about; concerning
anergia failure of immune system; loss of energy
anesis tuning to a lower musical pitch
aneuria lack of nervous energy
anfractuous full of windings and intricate turnings
angary the right of a belligerent to seize neutral property
angelocracy government by angels
angelolatry worship of or belief in angels
angelology study of angels
angelus prayer said in morning, at noon and at sunset
angiogenesis production of blood vessels
angiology study of blood flow and lymphatic system
anglomania craze or obsession with England and the English
anglophilia love or fondness for England or the English
anglophobia fear of England or the English
angora silk-like fabric made from wool of angora goats
angstrom unit of one ten-billionth of a meter
anguiform shaped like a snake
anguilliform shaped like an eel
anguine of, like or pertaining to snakes
anguine of, like or pertaining to snakes
anhedonia an unresponsiveness to pleasure
anhelation shortness of breath
anhidrosis absence of perspiration
aniconic symbolizing without aiming at resemblance
anicular like an old woman
anile imbecilic; senile; like a very old woman
animadvert to comment critically on; to censure
animastic spiritual; animate
animism attribution of soul to inanimate objects
anion positively charged ion
anisothenic being of unequal strength
anker liquid measure of 8 1/2 gallons
ankus spiked elephant goad
ankyroid hook-shaped
anlace short two-edged dagger
anneal to heat and cool metal gradually to temper
annectent having intermediate features between two taxa
annihilationism doctrine that the wicked are utterly destroyed after death
annodated shaped like the letter S
annomination pun; play on words
annuent nodding or moving of the head
annulet small ring around a classical column
annulose ringed; composed of rings
anocathartic emetic; causing vomiting or expectoration
anodontia toothlessness
anodyne something that relieves pain or suffering
anoesis sensation not accompanied by understanding of it
anogenic formed from below or beneath
anomia inability to remember names
anomic in a state lacking social order and norms
anomie condition of lacking accepted social values or standards
anomphalous without a navel
anon at once; immediately
anonym person whose name is not given; pseudonym
anopheline of, like or pertaining to malarial mosquitoes
anopisthographic bearing writing or inscription only on one side
anopsia blindness
anorchous lacking testicles
anosmia lack or loss of sense of smell
anotic lacking ears
ansate having a handle or hand-like shape
anserine of, like or pertaining to geese
anta pier produced by thickening wall at one end
antalgic alleviating or relieving pain
antanaclasis repetition of key word of phrase as a play on words
antapology response to an apology
antarchy opposition to government; anarchy
anteambulo usher
antechapel anteroom to a chapel or church
antejentacular before breakfast
anteloquy a preface
antelucan before dawn or daylight
antemundane before one's own birth; before the creation of the world
antenniferous bearing antennae
antepast foretaste
antependium covering or cloth over pulpit or altar
antephialtic preventing nightmares
antepone to put before; to prefer
anteprandial before dinner
antevenient preceding
anthelion luminous ring seen on a cloud opposite the sun
anthelminthic destroying or expelling worms
anthesis full bloom
anthomancy divination using flowers
anthomania obsession with flowers
anthophilous loving or frequenting flowers
anthorism counter-definition
anthracomancy divination using burning coals
anthrophobia fear of humans
anthropobiology study of human biology
anthropogenesis origin of human beings
anthropoglot animal with human tongue; animal capable of speech
anthropolatry worship of human beings
anthropolith fossilized human skeleton
anthropomancy divination using human entrails
anthropopathy ascription of human feelings to inanimate object
anthropophaginian cannibal
anthropophagous eating humans
anthroposophy knowledge of the nature of humanity; human wisdom
anthropotheism belief that gods are only deified men
antibasilican opposed to monarchic principle
antiblastic providing natural immunity against harmful substances
antibromic eliminating offensive odours
antichresis enjoyment of mortgaged property in lieu of interest payments
antichthon hypothetical second Earth on the opposite side of the sun
anticryptic camouflaged; having protective resemblance to environment
antidisestablishmentarianism doctrine opposed to removing Church of England's official religion status
antigalactic preventing the secretion of milk
antigropelos waterproof leggings
antilapsarianism denial of doctrine of the fall of humanity
antilegomena books of the New Testament not part of early Christian Bible
antilogarithm number of which a given number is the logarithm
antilogism statement of three propositions containing contradiction
antilogy contradiction
antimnemonic damaging the memory; eliminating memories
antimony brittle, bluish-white metallic element
antinomianism doctrine of the rejection of moral law
antinomy contradiction between two logical conclusions
antipedobaptism denial of validity of infant baptism
antiperistasis opposition or resistance
antiphon anthem sung as a response during church service
antiphrasis use of words in a sense opposite to literal
antipudic concealing private parts of the body
antiscian dweller on the exact opposite side of the world
antistrophe repetition of words in reverse order
antithalian opposed to mirth or fun
antithesis contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangement of words or clauses
antitypy resistance to being penetrated
antonomasia use of descriptive phrase or epithet instead of proper name
antre cave
antrorse turned upward and forward
anuptaphobia fear of staying single
anuresis inability to urinate
anurous tailless
anzactile army biscuit
aorist expressing simple past time with no continuance
apaesthesia numbness or loss of sensation in a limb
apagoge proof by showing the falsehood of the opposite
apanage privilege of office; especially one given to younger offspring
apantomancy divination using objects at hand
apatetic of an animal's coloration or markings
apay to satisfy
apercu brief outline; glimpse; intuitive insight
aperient laxative
aphagia inability to eat or swallow
aphemia loss of ability to produce articulate speech
apheresis taking away a sound or syllable at the beginning of a word
aphesis loss of initial unaccented vowel from beginning of a word
aphicide killer of aphids
aphidicide killer of aphids
aphnology science of wealth
aphologistic flameless
aphotic lightless
aphrasia inability to speak
aphrodisiomania abnormal sexual interest
aphthong silent letter
apian of, like or pertaining to bees
apiarian of, like or pertaining to bees or beekeeping
apical of or at the apex
apiculture beekeeping
apiology study of bees
apistia faithlessness in marriage
apivorous eating bees
aplanatic a lens free of spherical aberration
apocalypticism doctrine of the imminent end of the world
apocarteresis suicide by starvation
apocatastasis final restitution of all things at the appearance of the Messiah
apocatastisis reversion or restoration to original position
apocope cutting off the last sound of a word
apocrisiary papal secretary
apodal lacking feet
apodictic necessarily true beyond contradiction
apodosis main clause in a conditional sentence
apodysophilia feverish desire to undress
apograph exact copy; facsimile
apolaustic dedicated to the search for enjoyment
apologetics defense and proof of Christianity or other doctrine
aponia painlessness
apopemptic valedictory
apophasis saying something by stating that you will not mention it
apophoret a gift given to celebrate a new year
apophthegm brief saying; proverb; epigram
aporia professed but false doubt of what to say or choose
aposiopesis suddenly stopping in the middle of a speech for emphasis
apositia dislike of or distaste for food
apostasy renunciation of former beliefs
apostil marginal note
apostrophe addressing of a personified thing rhetorically
apotelesm casting of a horoscope
apothegm a short, instructive saying or formula
apotheosis elevation to divine status; a perfect example
apotropaic designed to turn away evil
apparitor officer in court who attends to execute orders; harbinger
appendant attached to; hanging from; adjunct
apperception mind's perception of itself as a conscious agent
appersonation irrational belief that one is another person
appetence strong craving or powerful desire
applanate flat; flattened; compressed
apport to transport objects without material agency
appose to place in juxtaposition or proximity
apposite appropriate
approbation approval; consent
apprompt to borrow
appropinquity nearness
appui to support militarily
appulse a striking against something
appurtenance a subordinate or adjunct part of
apricate to bask in the sun
aprique sunny
apse rounded extension of church or other building
apselophesia loss of sense of touch
apsidal shaped like an apse
apterygial wingless; finless
aptotic uninflected; indeclinable
aptronym name that suits its owner
apyrexy period of intermission in a fever
aquamanile ewer in the form of a human or animal figure for ceremonial handwashing
aquaphobia fear of water
aquarelle watercolour painting
aquifer a rock formation containing water
aquiform watery; liquid
aquiline of, like or pertaining to eagles; hooked like an eagle's beak
araba wheeled Middle Eastern carriage
arachibutyrophobia fear of peanut butter sticking to roof of mouth
arachnivorous feeding on spiders
arachnology study of spiders
arachnophobia fear of spiders
araneidan of, like or pertaining to spiders
araneiform shaped like a spider
araneous transparent; delicate; like a spider's web
araphorostic seamless
aration ploughing
arbalest type of crossbow
arborescent branched; branching; tree-shaped
arboricolous growing on or living in trees
arboriform shaped like a tree
arbrolatry worship of start
arbuscle dwarf or shrub-like tree
arbustum orchard; copse of trees
arcanna red chalk used to mark trees
arcate bow-shaped
archaeolatry worship of archaic things or old customs
archelogy the study of first principles
archet violin box
archididascalian of, like or pertaining to headmasters
archididascalos school principal
archimandrite head of a monastery or convent
archimime chief buffoon or mimic
architectonics of, like or pertaining to the arrangement of knowledge
architrave parts surrounding a door or window, especially the top
archology science of the origins of government
arciform shaped like a bow
arctician one skilled in navigating arctic regions
arctogaeal of the arctic regions of the earth
arctoid bear-like
arctophile collector of teddy bears
arctophily study of teddy bears
arcuate arched; bow-shaped
ard plough used to scratch top surface of soil
ardass fine silk
arefy to dry up; to wither
arenaceous like, growing in or consisting of sand
arenoid sandy; like sand
areology study of Mars
areometer instrument used for measuring specific gravity
areopagitic of, like or pertaining to tribunals or courts
aret to assign or allot
aretaics the science of virtue
arete sharp mountain ridge
argand gas or oil lamp
argent the heraldic colour silver or white
argentiferous bearing silver
argentocracy government by money
argil clay used in making pottery
argillaceous clayey; of or resembling clay
argol crust formed on wine kept too long or improperly
argol dried cow dung used as fuel
argosy a large merchant ship; a rich supply
arguria silver poisoning
argute shrill; keen; shrewd
argyll silver gravy dish
arietine of, like or pertaining to rams
arietinous shaped like a ram's head
aright right; correctly
ariolation divination in general
aristarch a severe critic
aristarchy government by the best
aristology the science or art of dining
arithmancy divination using numbers
arithmocracy government by simple majority
arithmogram number composed of numerical values of letters in a word
arithmomania obsessive preoccupation with numbers
armamentarium collective equipment available to a doctor
armigerous entitled to bear arms
armillary like or composed of rings
armipotent having strong weapons; militarily potent
armisonant resounding with noises of battle or weapons
armomancy divination by examining one's shoulders
armure twilled woollen or silk fabric
aroint begone
arpent unit of land area slightly smaller than an acre
arpenteur land surveyor
arrant downright; unmitigated
arras tapestry covering a wall
arrasene embroidery fabric of wool and silk
arrect attentive; erect; raised up
arrendator one who rents or farms at a yearly rent
arreptitious ecstatic; frantic; hasty or hurried
arrestant substance causing an insect to stop moving
arrhizal lacking roots
arris sharp edge on stone; meeting of two surfaces
arrogate to claim unduly as one's own; to ascribe
arrosive gnawing; chewing; corroding
arthrology study of joints
arthroscope instrument for examining interior of a joint
arundiferous bearing or producing reeds
arundinaceous like or having the properties of a reed
arval of, like or pertaining to ploughed land
ascesis the practice of disciplining oneself; asceticism
asceticism doctrine that self-denial of the body permits spiritual enlightenment
ascham box for keeping bows and arrows dry
ascian inhabitant of the equatorial zone
aseity self-origination
ashlar squared stone used in building walls
ashplant walking stick
asinine of, like or pertaining to asses; stupid
asitia lack of appetite
askefise one who blows on ashes to bring them to flame
asomatous lacking a body; incorporeal
asonia deafness to specific pitches of sound
asperge to sprinkle
aspergilliform shaped like a brush
aspergillum vessel for sprinkling holy water
asperity roughness of surface or sound
asperse slander; disparage
aspersory vessel for holding holy water
aspheterism denial of the right to private property
aspidate shield-shaped
aspidomancy divination by sitting and chanting within a circle
asportation to carry property away wrongfully
assart to reclaim for agriculture by clearing away trees
assecuration marine insurance
assentation insincere or glib assent
asseveration positive or earnest affirmation
assibilate to pronounce with a hiss or sibilant
assiduity persevering application to a pursuit
assizer officer or judge in charge of weights and measures
assocative indicating association with or accompaniment by
assoil to absolve; to acquit
assot to befool; to besot
assuefaction habituation
assuetude accustomedness; habit
assurgent ascending; rising; curving upward
astacology the science of crayfish
astatic in equilibrium
asteism refined irony
asterism three asterisks used to direct attention to a passage
astern at the stern of a ship
astheniology study of diseases of weakening and aging
asthenopia muscular weakening of the eyes
astichous not in rows
astragal small semicircular moulding; dice
astragalomancy divination using dice or knucklebones
astraphobia fear of being struck by lightning
astrapophobia fear of thunder and lightning
astriction binding obligation
astringe to draw together; to tighten
astrionics electronics as applied to space flight
astrobleme scar on the earth's surface from meteorite impact
astrobolism sun-stroke
astrogeology study of extraterrestrial geology
astrognosy knowledge of fixed stars
astrogony theory of the origin of stars
astrolatry worship of stars
astrologaster a foolish or petty astrologer
astromancy divination using stars
astrometeorology study of effect of stars on climate
astronomical unit unit of distance equal to the distance from the earth to the sun
astrophile person interested in astronomy
astroseismology study of star oscillations
astrut protrudingly; distendedly
asynartetic having two members with different rhythms
asyndeton rhetorical device of omitting conjunctions
atactic irregular
ataraxia tranquility; freedom from anxiety; stoicism
atavism reversion to early or ancestral type
ateknia childlessness
atelier artist's studio or workshop
ateliosis imperfect development; developmental irregularity
athanasy deathlessness
athanor alchemist's self-feeding digesting furnace
atheling Anglo-Saxon prince or nobleman
athenaeum literary or scientific association
athermic lacking heat
athetesis rejection of a passage as spurious
athetosis nervous twitching of digits and extremities
athwart across; in opposition to; sideways; transversely
athymia melancholy
atimy loss of honour; disgrace
atlantes male figures used as columns
atlas rich satin fabric
atmatertera great-grandfather's grandmother's sister
atmology the science of aqueous vapour
atmometer instrument for measuring evaporating capacity of air
atocia female sterility
atokous lacking offspring
atomism belief that the universe consists of small indivisible particles
atony muscular weakness
atpatruus great-grandfather's grandfather's brother
atrabiliary melancholy; hypochondriac
atrabilious melancholy; splenetic; acrimonious
atrament blacking; ink; black dye
atresia absence or irregular closure of a passage in the body
atrichia baldness
atrous jet black
attainder the loss of civil rights for high treason
attaint disgrace; sully; infect; taint
attemper to adapt or alter quality by adding to something
attenuate make thin; reduce in value
atticism expression characterized by conciseness and elegance
attingent touching
attollent lifting up; raising
attorn to transfer to another
attrahent attracting or drawing
attrist to sadden
attrite repentant through fear of punishment
attuition operation between sensation and perception
aubade musical announcement of dawn; sunrise song
aubergine eggplant
aubin horse's gait between an amble and a gallop
auceps hawker or bird-tender
aucupate to hunt birds; to pursue prey with vigilance
audile person more attuned to sound than the other senses
audiology study of hearing
audiometer instrument for measuring acuity of hearing
audiophile one who loves accurately reproduced recorded sound
augean filthy; difficult
augend number to which another number is added
aught at all
aularian of, like or pertaining to a hall in a university
aulete flautist
aulic courtly; ceremonious; genteel
auncel crude balance for weighing
aurantiaceous of, like or pertaining or pertaining to oranges or orange trees
aureity property of being golden in colour or substance
aureole radiant light around head or body of holy personage
auricomous having golden or blond hair
auricular of, like or pertaining to the ear; spoken secretly
auriferous bearing gold
aurifex goldsmith
auriform shaped like an ear
aurigation charioteering
aurilave instrument for cleaning the ear
auriphrygia gold embroidery
auriscope instrument for examining the ear
aurochs extinct wild ox
aurulent gold-coloured
auscultation listening to sounds arising within organs
auslaut final sound of a word or syllable
austringer keeper of goshawks
austromancy divination using wind
autarchy government by an absolute ruler
autarkic self-sufficient; independent
autecology study of ecology of one species
autocephality ecclesiastical self-government
autocoprophagy eating one's own feces
autocracy government by one individual
auto-da-fe burning of a heretic
autodidact self-taught person
autogenesis spontaneous generation
autognosis knowledge of or about oneself
autolatry self-worship
autology scientific study of oneself
automorphism ascription to others of one's own characteristics
automysophobia fear of being dirty
autonym a writer's real name; work published under writer's own name
autophagy feeding on body's own tissues
autophanous self-luminous
autophobia fear of solitude
autoschediasm anything extemporized
autosoterism belief that one can obtain salvation through oneself
autotelic being an end in itself
autothaumaturgist person pretending to be mystical or mysterious
autotheism belief that one is God incarnate or that one is Christ
autotropic growing in a straight line
auxanometer instrument for measuring growth of plants
auxesis increase in size; hyperbole
auxology science of growth
auxometer instrument for measuring magnifying power
aval of, like or pertaining to a grandparent
avalement allowing knees to flex while skiing
avaunt away; hence
avaunt to boast
aveniform shaped like oats
averruncate to ward off; to uproot
averruncator pole for pruning trees
avicide killing of birds
avicular of, like or pertaining to birds
avinosis air sickness
avionics the science of electronic devices for aircraft
avital ancestral
avizandum private consideration of a case by a judge
avolitional involuntary
avulse to pluck or tear away by force
avuncular like an uncle; of, like or pertaining to uncles
awn beard or similar bristly growth on stalk of grain
axilla armpit
axiniform shaped like an axe-head
axinomancy divination using an axe or hatchet
axiology the science of the ultimate nature of values
azimuth arc of the horizon
azoth alchemical name for mercury
azuline blue
azure light or sky blue; the heraldic colour blue
azymous unleavened
 
==B==
==B==
* '''bade''' - old past tense of "bid", pronounced "bad"
* '''bade''' - old past tense of "bid", pronounced "bad"
Line 1,444: Line 232:
* '''hundredweight''' - the pun in Tolkien's description of Bilbo's 112th birthday as a "Hundredweight Feast" is based on the fact that in Britain a hundredweight is 112 pounds. <ref>[[Wayne G. Hammond]], [[Christina Scull]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', p. 74.</ref><ref>[[Mark T. Hooker]], ''[[The Hobbitonian Anthology]]'', pp. 160-164.</ref>
* '''hundredweight''' - the pun in Tolkien's description of Bilbo's 112th birthday as a "Hundredweight Feast" is based on the fact that in Britain a hundredweight is 112 pounds. <ref>[[Wayne G. Hammond]], [[Christina Scull]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', p. 74.</ref><ref>[[Mark T. Hooker]], ''[[The Hobbitonian Anthology]]'', pp. 160-164.</ref>
* '''hunter's moon''' -  the full moon of mid- to late October
* '''hunter's moon''' -  the full moon of mid- to late October
* '''hythe''' - a small harbour or haven, especially on a river
* '''hythe''' - a small harbour or haven, especially on a river, "low place on a river bank for landing a boat"<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Andreas Möhn]]|articleurl=http://lalaith.vpsurf.de/Tolkien/Bombadil_in_the_Shire.html|articlename=Bombadil in the Shire|dated=|website=Lalaith |accessed=16 May 2012}}</ref>
 
==I==
==I==
* '''ill''' - evil, wrong
* '''ill''' - evil, wrong
Line 1,505: Line 294:
* '''noisome''' - foul-smelling, poisonous
* '''noisome''' - foul-smelling, poisonous
* '''nook''' - corner, recess
* '''nook''' - corner, recess
* '''[[Wiktionary:nuncle|nuncle]]'''<ref>{{FR|I12}}</ref><ref>{{AB|7}}</ref> - uncle (from "an uncle")<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nuncle|articlename="nuncle"|dated=|website=[http://www.merriam-webster.com/ Merriam-Webster]|accessed=9 March 2012}}</ref>
==O==
==O==
* '''obeisance''' - bowing or kneeling in submission
* '''obeisance''' - bowing or kneeling in submission
Line 1,710: Line 500:
{{references}}
{{references}}


==External Links==
==External links==
*[http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/words.html Old and Rare Words] at the [http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/default.asp Encyclopedia of Arda], from where many of the words on this list have originated.
*[http://www.tolkienenglishglossary.com/ A Tolkien English Glossary (web edition)]
*[http://www.tolkienenglishglossary.com/ A Tolkien English Glossary (web edition)]



Revision as of 23:28, 5 November 2012

Within J.R.R. Tolkien's works, there are many uncommon, archaic, obsolete and dialectal words (especially from the dialects of the United Kingdom) which might cause confusion to readers and may make a passage of text appear unwieldy.

Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

  • abide - put up with, tolerate; await;
  • abjure - renounce, turn away from
  • abroad - in the open, at large
  • adamant - diamond, or (more generally) any very hard substance
  • afield - away, especially from home
  • aforetime - in earlier times
  • aghast - terrified, amazed
  • agin - a dialect word meaning "against", "next to"
  • aloof - hanging over ones head
  • amiss - not as things should be
  • an - if
  • anon - soon; ever and anon often
  • apace - quickly
  • argent - silver
  • arrassed - covered with arras (rich figured tapestry)
  • assuage - soften, lessen, soothe
  • astonied - stunned, astonished
  • aught - anything

B

  • bade - old past tense of "bid", pronounced "bad"
  • baldric - a shoulder-belt for carrying horns, swords, etc
  • bannock - flat bread-cake
  • barrel - the long, cylindrical part of a key
  • baseborn - ignoble, illegitimate
  • bason - formerly a common spelling of basin
  • bay - (of a dog) bark or howl
  • bebother - bring trouble upon
  • befall - happen, occur
  • belie - give a false impression
  • benighted - in, or overtaken by, darkness
  • bent - open place covered with grass
  • beset - attacked, assaulted by enemies
  • besom - a stiff broom made out of sticks and twigs
  • besotted - made drunk
  • besotted2 - obsessed, entranced
  • besought - old past tense of beseech
  • bier - platform for carrying a coffin or body
  • billow - (large) wave
  • bivouac - temporary camp, without tents
  • blazoned - painted or inscribed (an heraldic term)
  • bond - storage of wine, etc, until duty has been paid; out of bond released from this
  • booby - stupid person
  • boon - favour, gift
  • brakes - thickets
  • brazen - made of brass
  • brood - children
  • brood2 - related creatures
  • brook - tolerate, accept
  • buckler - a small round shield, held in one hand
  • bulwark - a defensive structure
  • burg - walled and fortified town[1]
  • burgeon - come forth, bud, begin to grow quickly
  • burnished - polished

C

  • cairn - a mound of stones or rocks, used as a marker, memorial or tomb
  • carcanet - jeweled necklace
  • carouse - drink heavily
  • carven - old form of 'carved'
  • cataract - waterfall
  • cesspool - a pool of waste-water or sewage
  • chalcedony - a precious form of quartz onyx, agate and cornelian are all types of chalcedony
  • champ - (of a horse) munch on the bit, showing eagerness
  • charger large dish
  • chime - agree with, be in harmony with
  • circlet - a thin band of precious metal, worn on the head
  • clamant - clamorous, noisy
  • clave - old past tense of cleave, in the sense 'stick, adhere'
  • clomb - old past tense of climb
  • cloven - split into two
  • cob - spider (the name survives in the term 'cobweb')
  • coëval - born at the same time
  • coffer - strongbox, especially for holding valuables
  • comely - pleasant-looking
  • commons - shared food; short commons insufficient food
  • compass - accomplish, achieve
  • conclave - a meeting, or the place where a meeting is held
  • concourse - large group of people; crowd
  • confines - borders; borderlands
  • confusticate - a nonsense word, probably not intended to have a meaning (though its Latin roots can be interpreted "beat with a cudgel")
  • constellate formed into a constellation
  • cony - rabbit
  • cools - coolnesses
  • coomb - short valley in the side of a hill or mountain
  • coop - cage, imprison
  • corbel basket
  • corslet - a piece of armour covering the body, but not the arms or legs
  • cot - a small cottage[1]
  • counsels - words of advice
  • covet - be jealous of, desire
  • covetice - (inordinate) desire, covetousness
  • cozen - lie to, cheat, deceive
  • craven - coward
  • crocks - items of crockery plates, dishes, etc.
  • culvert - a channel carrying water beneath a thoroughfare
  • cumbrous - awkward, inconvenient
  • cunning-handed - deft, artful, dexterous
  • curdle - turn sour

D

  • dainty - morsel, delicacy
  • damask - steel and iron specially welded to make a serpentine pattern
  • darkling - dark (poetical)
  • daunt - intimidate
  • declaim - speak or recite passionately
  • deem - consider, conclude
  • defile - ruin, corrupt
  • defray - pay for
  • dell - small valley
  • descry - catch sight of, especially something difficult to see
  • devices - things, especially situations, devised or engineered
  • dingle - deep hollow, usually shaded with trees
  • dissemble - hide one's true intentions
  • divers - numerous and various
  • dolven - delved, dug out
  • doom - fate (as opposed to modern usage, doom in this sense is not necessarily bad)
  • dotard - a person who has lost their wits, especially through old age
  • doughty - strong, powerful
  • draught - drawing or pulling force
  • draught2 - a drink drawn from a barrel or storage jar
  • drear - dismal, gloomy
  • dregs - sediment found at the bottom of wine, tea, etc. To "drink to the dregs" is to completely drain a cup or (metaphorically) fully involve oneself
  • dry - (of bricks or stone) laid without mortar
  • durstn't - dare not
  • dwimmer-crafty - skilled in the arts of magic

E

  • eaves - the fringe of a forest (from the resemblance of the overhanging forest canopy to the eaves of a house)
  • eld - old age
  • ell - a measure of length, usually equivalent to 45 inches or 114 cm
  • embattled - of a fortress, having battlements
  • embattled2 - of an army, fortified against attack (this is the dictionary definition, but in The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien's usage seems to mean simply "in battle")
  • embrasure - beveled door or window frame cut into a wall
  • encompass - surround
  • ere - before
  • errantry - journeying in search of adventure
  • espy - catch sight of
  • essay - attempt
  • esteem - consider to be of worth; esteem too lightly underestimate
  • et - a variation of "ate", common in British rural dialects
  • etten - eaten - see "et"
  • ewer - pitcher for water[1]
  • eyot - a small island[1]

F

  • faggot - bundle of sticks used as firewood
  • fain gladly; disposed, desirous; fain of well-pleased with
  • falter - waver, lose courage
  • fane temple
  • fare - travel, go on a journey
  • fastness - secure fortress
  • fawn - cringe, grovel
  • fealty - allegiance and service to a lord
  • feign - pretend
  • fell - merciless, terrifying
  • fell2 - animal's hide
  • fell3 - moorland hill
  • fender - a metal frame placed around a fireplace
  • fetter - chain, shackle
  • fey -The old senses were ‘fated, approaching death; presaging death’. It seems very unlikely that the later sense ‘possessing or displaying magical, fairylike, or unearthly qualities’ (O.E.D. Supplement) was intended.
  • field - background color on a flag or shield in heraldry.
  • figured - marked with drawings or writing
  • firth - An inlet of the sea at a wide river estuary
  • flagon - large jug or mug, usually used to hold wine or beer
  • flammifer - in Latin, flammifer means "fiery", but Tolkien's usage is likely meant to suggest "flame-bearer", as a reference to the blazing Silmaril borne by Eärendil.
  • flank - the exposed side of an attacking or marching army
  • flittermice - bats
  • flotsam - floating wreckage; flotsam and jetsam items washed up by the sea, or a flood (also used figuratively)
  • flummoxed - bewildered, disconcerted
  • footpad - a thief (historically, a "footpad" was a highwayman who had no horse)
  • forbear - hold back from
  • forebode - foresee (especially something that is evil)
  • forespeak - foretell, predict
  • foreswear - swear not to do something
  • forgo - let go, do without
  • forlorn - abandoned, desolate
  • forsake - desert, turn away from (the past tense is forsook)
  • forsooth - in truth, actually
  • fortnight - a period of two weeks
  • fosse - a defensive trench or ditch; pit[1]
  • founder - sink, after taking on water
  • fraught - full (of)
  • freshet - a stream, or (strictly) a flood of fresh water
  • furlong - one eighth of a mile (220 yards), or about one fifth of a kilometre

G

  • gaffer - a word meaning both "old man" and "foreman"* its use as the nickname of Hamfast Gamgee is probably mean to combine both meanings.
  • gainsay - contradict
  • gallop - boil and bubble
  • game - crippled
  • gammer - old woman
  • garth - an enclosed garden or yard
  • ghyll - deep ravine
  • gibbet - A gallows built to display the body of an executed criminal
  • gimlet - A sharp boring tool, similar in general design to a corkscrew; see like gimlets see sharply
  • girdle - belt or cord used especially to confine clothing
  • girdle2 - something which surrounds or encircles; girdle of Arda the central regions of Arda, equidistant from the far north and south
  • girt - bound or attached with a belt
  • glede - burning coal or cinder
  • gloaming - the twilight of evening
  • glower - scowl, frown
  • goggle - stare with round eyes
  • gorcrow - carrion crow
  • graven - engraved, carved
  • greened - made green from the mosses and lichens on a tree's trunk
  • grot - old form of "grotto"; an ornamental or picturesque cavern
  • guileful - treacherous, deceitful
  • gunwale - the top edge of a boat's side, pronounced (and sometimes spelt) 'gunnel'

H

  • habergeon - a mail-coat without sleeves
  • hale - robust, strong of body
  • hame - hide, pelt
  • hang - to leave food, especially game, in the open until it becomes "high" or tender
  • harbour - succor, assistance
  • hardly - with great difficulty
  • hardly2 - only just
  • harry - ravage
  • haste - hurry, rush
  • hauberk - mail-coat
  • headstall - a covering for a horse's head, used as an alternative to bridle and bit
  • hearken - listen, pay attention
  • heed - thought, consideration
  • heedless - careless of danger
  • hence - from here
  • hew - chop, slice
  • hither - to here, to this place; hither and thither in various directions
  • hither2 - nearer, closer
  • hoar - grey- or white-haired
  • hobble - limp, walk with difficulty
  • hock - the middle joint of a horse's or pony's leg
  • houseleek - a fleshy plant that grows on the walls and roofs of houses
  • hue - form or shape
  • hummock - a small hill or knoll (in The Lord of the Rings, "hummock" is used metaphorically to describe the shape made by the palantír beneath Gandalf's cloak)
  • hundredweight - the pun in Tolkien's description of Bilbo's 112th birthday as a "Hundredweight Feast" is based on the fact that in Britain a hundredweight is 112 pounds. [2][3]
  • hunter's moon - the full moon of mid- to late October
  • hythe - a small harbour or haven, especially on a river, "low place on a river bank for landing a boat"[4]

I

  • ill - evil, wrong
  • inaureoled surrounded with a halo, (the word is only recorded in the O.E.D. in a poem by Francis Thompson, 1897).

J

  • jacinth - blue[1]
  • jetsam - items thrown overboard from a ship, and later washed ashore

K

  • keen - sharp
  • kerb - a raised edge to a road or path
  • kindle - set fire to, begin to burn

L

  • lampads - The word is only recorded in the O.E.D. (first used by Coleridge) of the seven lamps of fire burning before the throne of God in the Book of Revelation, chapter 4 verse 5.
  • lave - wash, bathe
  • lay - a poem that is meant to be sung
  • league - a measure of distance, about three miles[1]
  • leaguer - an encampment or encampments, especially for defensive purposes
  • leave - permission
  • lee - shelter, especially from wind and weather
  • leech - healer
  • leechcraft - the practice of magical medicine. The name is based on the Celtic word for stone. The animal leech (Latin: sanguisuga, literally: blood sucker) is named for the healer (leech), rather than the other way around. [5]
  • legendarium - term coined by Tolkien to mean the entirety of his works concerning his imagined world of
  • lets upon gives on to, opens on to
  • lief gladly, willingly
  • liever more gladly, more willingly, rather
  • lissom - lithe, supple
  • loath - reluctant
  • lob - spider (seen, for example, in the name Shelob)
  • loth - reluctant [a variation on loath above]
  • louver - a domed structure built on a roof with side-openings to allow smoke to escape
  • lustihead vigour

M

  • malefactor - one who commits an evil act
  • mantle - cloak, cover
  • mar - spoil or damage beyond repair
  • march - share borders
  • marchwarden - border guard
  • mark - notice, detect
  • marshal - place in proper order
  • mattock - a primitive weapon, originally a farming tool, perhaps best described as a double-headed battle-hoe
  • maw - jaws and throat, especially of a ferocious animal
  • mayhap - perhaps
  • mead - an alcoholic drink made from honey
  • mead2 - meadow
  • meed - requital
  • mere - lake or pond
  • mew - a type of gull
  • midge - tiny airborne biting insect; not unlike a mosquito, but much smaller
  • minished reduced, diminished
  • mischance - accident
  • misgive - fill with doubt or suspicion
  • moonshine - fantastic ideas
  • muster - collect, assemble

N

  • nethermost - lowest, deepest
  • nicety - precision, exactness; weigh to a nicety measure exactly
  • nigh - near; well nigh, wellnigh almost, very nearly
  • nightshade - probably simply "darkness" (the literal use of this word appears to be unique to Tolkien - in * historical English, it is only used figuratively as the name of a poisonous plant)
  • noisome - foul-smelling, poisonous
  • nook - corner, recess
  • nuncle[6][7] - uncle (from "an uncle")[8]

O

  • obeisance - bowing or kneeling in submission
  • oft - often
  • or ... or - either ... or[1]
  • or yet - apparently means "already",
  • ostler - stable-keeper
  • ousel blackbird, 43 (now spelled ouzel, in Ring-ouzel and other bird-names).
  • oust - take possession of another's lands, property, title, etc.
  • outworn - exhausted
  • overbear - defeat by weight of numbers

P

  • pallid - pale
  • panoply - full suit of armour
  • parapet - defensive wall built to protect troops
  • parley - discuss terms of peace or cease-fire
  • passward - something granting passage of a guard
  • pate - head, mind
  • pent - restricted, confined
  • penthouse - the area beneath a sloping roof, especially as a later extension to an existing building
  • perforce - having no choice, being forced
  • pinion - a bird's wing, and especially the tip
  • plash - splash
  • pleasance - "A pleasure-ground, usually attached to a mansion; sometimes a secluded part of a garden, but more often a separate enclosure laid out with shady walks, trees and shrubs..." (O.E.D.)
  • pled old past tense of plead, 186
  • plenilune - the time of full moon (see Letters p. 310).
  • portage - transporting a boat overland
  • portent - omen, sign
  • postern - a back- or side-entrance
  • pricks - (spurs his horse), rides fast. Oromë pricks over the plain echoes the first line of The Faerie Queene, A Gentle Knight was pricking on the plaine.
  • profound - deep
  • prosy - dull, contented with the commonplace
  • provender - food
  • puissant - powerful[1]
  • purloin - steal

Q

  • quaff - drink deeply
  • quail - give way to, be intimidated by

R

  • raiment - clothing
  • rearguard - that part of an army set to cover its rear ranks, especially in retreat
  • recked - troubled, cared
  • rede - counsel, advice; plan; redes counsels
  • redound - contribute to, advance
  • redress - setting right
  • reft - past tense of the old word reave, to take by force
  • rent - past tense of rend, to tear or split
  • repair - make one's way, go[1]
  • respite - relief, calm interval
  • revelry - merrymaking
  • rick - a stack, especially of hay
  • rill - a small stream
  • rondured - (in golden-rondured). Rondure "circle, rounded form"; rondured is not recorded.
  • rude - simple, primitive
  • rue - regret, repent of
  • rumour - sound
  • ruth - matter of sorrow, calamity; distress, grief; remorse

S

  • sable - heraldic term for black
  • sallow - having yellow or pale brown skin
  • saps - deep diggings
  • sate - old past tense of sit
  • save - except
  • seamews - seagulls
  • selenites - inhabitants of the Moon
  • semblance - appearance
  • shade - ghost or phantasm
  • shallop - This word had precise applications to particular kinds of boat, but here apparently means "open boat propelled by oars and sail".
  • shank - leg; especially that part between the knee and ankle
  • share - share=ploughshare, but used here of the blade of a scythe.
  • sheaf - bundle or cluster of stalks
  • shoal - a particularly shallow part of a river- or sea-bed
  • shore - slice, tear (an old past tense of "shear")
  • shun - refuse
  • sister-son - nephew
  • sledge-blows blows as of a sledge, a large heavy hammer
  • slot - track of an animal[1]
  • slowcoach - someone who moves slowly, or is often late
  • sluggard - slow or lazy person
  • smite - strike, attack (the past tense is smote)
  • snuff - sniff deeply
  • sojourn - temporary stay
  • sooth - true, truthful
  • sortie - an attack launched by a besieged force
  • spinney - group of trees, or small wood
  • sprent - past participle of the lost verb sprenge "sprinkle, scatter"
  • sprite(s) - spirit(s)
  • stead - place, position
  • stem - block, hold back
  • stock - the trunk or stump of a tree; stock and stone inanimate things
  • stoop - in falconry, to swoop on prey
  • straightway - immediately, directly
  • strait - narrowly confining
  • straitly - narrowly, tightly
  • strand - shore, shoreline, especially a beach
  • stricken - struck, beaten;[1] (as an adjective) damaged, broken
  • suaded - persuaded
  • succour - give aid
  • sunder - divide, separate
  • surname - an additional name indicating some quality or ability (as distinct from modern usage, surname in this context has no connection with family)
  • sward - region of short grass, lawn
  • swart - dark-skinned
  • swarthy - dark-skinned
  • swath - a strip of grass that has been flattened or mown
  • swoon - faint

T

  • tarn - mountain lake
  • tarry - pause, wait
  • thanksgiving- festival of giving thanks, as in a prayer
  • thenceforward - from that time on
  • thither - to or in that place
  • thraldom - slavery
  • thrall - slave
  • thrawn - twisted, misshapen
  • thrawn2 - obstinate, stubborn
  • throe - violent agony
  • throve - old past tense of 'thrive'
  • thwart - foil, stop
  • tidings - news
  • tipsy - slightly drunk
  • tithe - tenth part[1]
  • toils - trap, snare
  • toothsome - pleasantly appetising
  • tors - rocky hill-tops
  • toss-pot - drunkard
  • tracery - complex interlinked ornamentation
  • traffic - trade
  • trammels - nets, traps
  • traverse - travel through or across
  • trillups, trillaping - Unknown
  • trove - found treasure
  • truncheon - a wooden shaft used as a weapon, or part of a weapon
  • tryst - a prearranged meeting; break tryst fail to appear at the agreed upon time and place
  • tumult - noisy disturbance
  • tunic - a loose, short-sleeved garment
  • tuppence - two pence, a very small amount of money; not care tuppence have no interest
  • turnkey - jailer
  • tussock - clump of grass
  • twine - twist strands together into a rope

U

  • umbel - long flower, as in hemlock or parsley
  • unblazoned - an heraldic term, plain, undecorated
  • umbraged - (in wide-umbraged) Umbraged "shaded, shadowed", but here in the sense "shadowing", "casting a shade".
  • ungentle - rough, coarse
  • unquiet - anxious, concerned
  • unsated - unsatisfied
  • unsullied - pure, uncorrupted
  • upbraid - criticise
  • upheave - push or force upwards

V

  • vale - the valley of a river
  • varmint - pest, bothersome person or animal
  • vassal - servant, bondsman
  • vie - struggle with, be rival to
  • vigil - watchfulness; hold vigil make devotion
  • viol - an old instrument, usually with six strings, similar to a violin but held in a vertical position like a 'cello

W

  • waif - homeless person
  • wain - wagon; The Wain the constellation of the Plough or Big Dipper
  • wan - pale
  • wards - the "teeth" of a key
  • ware - old form of aware
  • waver - shimmer, flicker
  • waver2 - show indecision
  • wax - grow stronger; increase
  • waylay - intercept, prevent from going forward
  • wayward - uncontrollable, unpredictable
  • web(s) - woven fabric
  • wellnigh - almost, very nearly
  • weregild - a payment in compensation for a death (literally "man-money")
  • wheedle - coax, persuade
  • whelm - engulf, cover
  • whence - from where
  • whereat - for which reason
  • wherefore - for what (or which) reason
  • whet - sharpen
  • whickering - The verb whicker meant to laugh or titter, or of a horse to whinny, but the O.E.D. cites a line from Masefield the wall-top grasses whickered in the breeze, and the 1920 Supplement to the Dictionary gives a meaning "to make a hurtling sound", with a single citation where the word is used of a thunderbolt "whickering through the sky". In the 1962 version of The Man in the Moon the word flickering occurs in this verse.
  • whitethorn - hawthorn
  • whither - to which place
  • wildered - perplexed, bewildered
  • wile - trick, deceit
  • wizened - of shriveled appearance
  • wold - an upland region of moorland
  • wont - customarily, regularly; wont to err thus regularly make mistakes of this kind
  • worrit - worry
  • worst - defeat
  • wrack - devastation, downfall, ruin, (compare with rack and ruin)[1]
  • wrack2 - clouds being driven by a strong wind?
  • wraith - ghost, apparition
  • wreathe - engulf, surround (especially of vapour or fire)
  • wrest - take by force
  • writhen - writhing, twisting
  • wroth - angry

Y

  • yammer - wail, weep, cry
  • yoke - wooden harness for oxen; under the yoke under complete control
  • yonder - over there
  • yore - long ago

Z

  • zenith - highest point

References

External links