https://tolkiengateway.net/w/api.php?action=feedcontributions&user=188.23.217.156&feedformat=atomTolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]2024-03-29T00:48:27ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.39.3https://tolkiengateway.net/w/index.php?title=Uncommon_words&diff=110619Uncommon words2010-06-21T23:29:32Z<p>188.23.217.156: /* E */</p>
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<div>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. <br />
<br />
This article attempts to list as many of these words as possible in alphabetical order. If you feel a particular word is missing, please feel free to [{{SERVER}}{{localurl:{{NAMESPACE}}:{{PAGENAME}}|action=edit}} edit this page] and add it in yourself.<br />
<br />
==A==<br />
* '''abide''' - put up with, tolerate; await;<br />
* '''abjure''' - renounce, turn away from<br />
* '''abroad''' - in the open, at large<br />
* '''adamant''' - diamond, or (more generally) any very hard substance<br />
* '''afield''' - away, especially from home<br />
* '''aforetime''' - in earlier times<br />
* '''aghast''' - terrified, amazed<br />
* '''agin''' - a dialect word meaning "against", "next to"<br />
* '''aloof''' - hanging over ones head<br />
* '''amiss''' - not as things should be<br />
* '''an''' - if<br />
* '''anon''' - soon; ever and anon often<br />
* '''apace''' - quickly<br />
* '''argent''' - silver<br />
* '''arrassed''' - covered with arras (rich figured tapestry)<br />
* '''assuage''' - soften, lessen, soothe<br />
* '''astonied''' - stunned, astonished<br />
* '''aught''' - anything<br />
==B==<br />
* '''bade''' - old past tense of "bid", pronounced "bad"<br />
* '''baldric''' - a shoulder-belt for carrying horns, swords, etc<br />
* '''bannock''' - flat bread-cake<br />
* '''barrel''' - the long, cylindrical part of a key<br />
* '''baseborn''' - ignoble, illegitimate<br />
* '''bason''' - formerly a common spelling of basin<br />
* '''bay''' - (of a dog) bark or howl<br />
* '''bebother''' - bring trouble upon<br />
* '''befall''' - happen, occur<br />
* '''belie''' - give a false impression<br />
* '''benighted''' - in, or overtaken by, darkness<br />
* '''bent''' - open place covered with grass<br />
* '''beset''' - attacked, assaulted by enemies<br />
* '''besom''' - a stiff broom made out of sticks and twigs<br />
* '''besotted''' - made drunk<br />
* '''besotted'''<sub>2</sub> - obsessed, entranced<br />
* '''besought''' - old past tense of beseech<br />
* '''bier''' - platform for carrying a coffin or body<br />
* '''billow''' - (large) wave<br />
* '''bivouac''' - temporary camp, without tents<br />
* '''blazoned''' - painted or inscribed (an heraldic term)<br />
* '''bond''' - storage of wine, etc, until duty has been paid; out of bond released from this<br />
* '''booby''' - stupid person<br />
* '''boon''' - favour, gift<br />
* '''brakes''' - thickets<br />
* '''brazen''' - made of brass<br />
* '''brood''' - children<br />
* '''brood'''<sub>2</sub> - related creatures<br />
* '''brook''' - tolerate, accept<br />
* '''buckler''' - a small round shield, held in one hand<br />
* '''bulwark''' - a defensive structure<br />
* '''burg''' - walled and fortified town<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''burgeon''' - come forth, bud, begin to grow quickly<br />
* '''burnished''' - polished<br />
==C==<br />
* '''cairn''' - a mound of stones or rocks, used as a marker, memorial or tomb<br />
* '''carcanet''' - jeweled necklace<br />
* '''carouse''' - drink heavily<br />
* '''carven''' - old form of 'carved'<br />
* '''cataract''' - waterfall<br />
* '''cesspool''' - a pool of waste-water or sewage<br />
* '''chalcedony''' - a precious form of quartz onyx, agate and cornelian are all types of chalcedony<br />
* '''champ''' - (of a horse) munch on the bit, showing eagerness<br />
* '''charger''' large dish<br />
* '''chime''' - agree with, be in harmony with<br />
* '''circlet''' - a thin band of precious metal, worn on the head<br />
* '''clamant''' - clamorous, noisy<br />
* '''clave''' - old past tense of cleave, in the sense 'stick, adhere'<br />
* '''clomb''' - old past tense of climb<br />
* '''cloven''' - split into two<br />
* '''cob''' - spider (the name survives in the term 'cobweb')<br />
* '''coëval''' - born at the same time<br />
* '''coffer''' - strongbox, especially for holding valuables<br />
* '''comely''' - pleasant-looking<br />
* '''commons''' - shared food; short commons insufficient food<br />
* '''compass''' - accomplish, achieve<br />
* '''conclave''' - a meeting, or the place where a meeting is held<br />
* '''concourse''' - large group of people; crowd<br />
* '''confines''' - borders; borderlands<br />
* '''confusticate''' - a nonsense word, probably not intended to have a meaning (though its Latin roots can be interpreted "beat with a cudgel")<br />
* '''constellate''' formed into a constellation<br />
* '''cony''' - rabbit<br />
* '''cools''' - coolnesses<br />
* '''coomb''' - short valley in the side of a hill or mountain<br />
* '''coop''' - cage, imprison<br />
* '''corbel''' basket<br />
* '''corslet''' - a piece of armour covering the body, but not the arms or legs<br />
* '''cot''' - a small cottage<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''counsels''' - words of advice<br />
* '''covet''' - be jealous of, desire<br />
* '''covetice''' - (inordinate) desire, covetousness<br />
* '''cozen''' - lie to, cheat, deceive<br />
* '''craven''' - coward<br />
* '''crocks''' - items of crockery plates, dishes, etc.<br />
* '''culvert''' - a channel carrying water beneath a thoroughfare<br />
* '''cumbrous''' - awkward, inconvenient<br />
* '''cunning-handed''' - deft, artful, dexterous<br />
* '''curdle''' - turn sour<br />
==D==<br />
* '''dainty''' - morsel, delicacy<br />
* '''damask''' - steel and iron specially welded to make a serpentine pattern<br />
* '''darkling''' - dark (poetical)<br />
* '''daunt''' - intimidate<br />
* '''declaim''' - speak or recite passionately<br />
* '''deem''' - consider, conclude<br />
* '''defile''' - ruin, corrupt<br />
* '''defray''' - pay for<br />
* '''dell''' - small valley<br />
* '''descry''' - catch sight of, especially something difficult to see<br />
* '''devices''' - things, especially situations, devised or engineered<br />
* '''dingle''' - deep hollow, usually shaded with trees<br />
* '''dissemble''' - hide one's true intentions<br />
* '''divers''' - numerous and various<br />
* '''dolven''' - delved, dug out<br />
* '''doom''' - fate (as opposed to modern usage, doom in this sense is not necessarily bad)<br />
* '''dotard''' - a person who has lost their wits, especially through old age<br />
* '''doughty''' - strong, powerful<br />
* '''draught''' - drawing or pulling force<br />
* '''draught'''<sub>2</sub> - a drink drawn from a barrel or storage jar<br />
* '''drear''' - dismal, gloomy<br />
* '''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<br />
* '''dry''' - (of bricks or stone) laid without mortar<br />
* '''durstn't''' - dare not<br />
* '''dwimmer-crafty''' - skilled in the arts of magic<br />
==E==<br />
* '''eaves''' - the fringe lol of a forest (from the resemblance of the overhanging forest canopy to the eaves of a house)<br />
* '''eld''' - old age<br />
* '''ell''' - a measure of length, usually equivalent to 45 inches or 114 cm<br />
* '''embattled''' - of a fortress, having battlements<br />
* '''embattled'''<sub>2</sub> - 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")<br />
* '''embrasure''' - beveled door or window frame cut into a wall<br />
* '''encompass''' - surround<br />
* '''ere''' - before<br />
* '''errantry''' - journeying in search of adventure<br />
* '''espy''' - catch sight of<br />
* '''essay''' - attempt<br />
* '''esteem''' - consider to be of worth; esteem too lightly underestimate<br />
* '''et''' - a variation of "ate", common in British rural dialects<br />
* '''etten''' - eaten - see "et"<br />
* '''ewer''' - pitcher for water<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''eyot''' - a small island<ref name="LT2"/><br />
<br />
==F==<br />
* '''faggot''' - bundle of sticks used as firewood<br />
* '''fain''' gladly; disposed, desirous; fain of well-pleased with<br />
* '''falter''' - waver, lose courage<br />
* '''fane''' temple<br />
* '''fare''' - travel, go on a journey<br />
* '''fastness''' - secure fortress<br />
* '''fawn''' - cringe, grovel<br />
* '''fealty''' - allegiance and service to a lord<br />
* '''feign''' - pretend<br />
* '''fell''' - merciless, terrifying<br />
* '''fell'''<sub>2</sub> - animal's hide<br />
* '''fell'''<sub>3</sub> - moorland hill<br />
* '''fender''' - a metal frame placed around a fireplace<br />
* '''fetter''' - chain, shackle<br />
* '''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.<br />
* '''field''' - background color on a flag or shield in heraldry.<br />
* '''figured''' - marked with drawings or writing<br />
* '''firth''' - An inlet of the sea at a wide river estuary<br />
* '''flagon''' - large jug or mug, usually used to hold wine or beer<br />
* '''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.<br />
* '''flank''' - the exposed side of an attacking or marching army<br />
* '''flittermice''' - [[bats]]<br />
* '''flotsam''' - floating wreckage; flotsam and jetsam items washed up by the sea, or a flood (also used figuratively)<br />
* '''flummoxed''' - bewildered, disconcerted<br />
* '''footpad''' - a thief (historically, a "footpad" was a highwayman who had no horse)<br />
* '''forbear''' - hold back from<br />
* '''forebode''' - foresee (especially something that is evil)<br />
* '''forespeak''' - foretell, predict<br />
* '''foreswear''' - swear not to do something<br />
* '''forgo''' - let go, do without<br />
* '''forlorn''' - abandoned, desolate<br />
* '''forsake''' - desert, turn away from (the past tense is forsook)<br />
* '''forsooth''' - in truth, actually<br />
* '''fortnight''' - a period of two weeks<br />
* '''fosse''' - a defensive trench or ditch; pit<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''founder''' - sink, after taking on water<br />
* '''fraught''' - full (of)<br />
* '''freshet''' - a stream, or (strictly) a flood of fresh water<br />
* '''furlong''' - one eighth of a mile (220 yards), or about one fifth of a kilometre<br />
==G==<br />
* '''gaffer''' - a word meaning both "old man" and "foreman"* its use as the nickname of Hamfast Gamgee is probably mean to combine both meanings.<br />
* '''gainsay''' - contradict<br />
* '''gallop''' - boil and bubble<br />
* '''game''' - crippled<br />
* '''gammer''' - old woman<br />
* '''garth''' - an enclosed garden or yard<br />
* '''ghyll''' - deep ravine<br />
* '''gibbet''' - A gallows built to display the body of an executed criminal<br />
* '''gimlet''' - A sharp boring tool, similar in general design to a corkscrew; see like gimlets see sharply<br />
* '''girdle''' - belt or cord used especially to confine clothing<br />
* '''girdle'''<sub>2</sub> - something which surrounds or encircles; girdle of Arda the central regions of Arda, equidistant from the far north and south<br />
* '''girt''' - bound or attached with a belt<br />
* '''glede''' - burning coal or cinder<br />
* '''gloaming''' - the twilight of evening<br />
* '''glower''' - scowl, frown<br />
* '''goggle''' - stare with round eyes<br />
* '''gorcrow''' - carrion crow<br />
* '''graven''' - engraved, carved<br />
* '''greened''' - made green from the mosses and lichens on a tree's trunk<br />
* '''grot''' - old form of "grotto"; an ornamental or picturesque cavern<br />
* '''guileful''' - treacherous, deceitful<br />
* '''gunwale''' - the top edge of a boat's side, pronounced (and sometimes spelt) 'gunnel'<br />
==H==<br />
* '''habergeon''' - a mail-coat without sleeves<br />
* '''hale''' - robust, strong of body<br />
* '''hame''' - hide, pelt<br />
* '''hang''' - to leave food, especially game, in the open until it becomes "high" or tender<br />
* '''harbour''' - succor, assistance<br />
* '''hardly''' - with great difficulty<br />
* '''hardly'''<sub>2</sub> - only just<br />
* '''harry''' - ravage<br />
* '''haste''' - hurry, rush<br />
* '''hauberk''' - mail-coat<br />
* '''headstall''' - a covering for a horse's head, used as an alternative to bridle and bit<br />
* '''hearken''' - listen, pay attention<br />
* '''heed''' - thought, consideration<br />
* '''heedless''' - careless of danger<br />
* '''hence''' - from here<br />
* '''hew''' - chop, slice<br />
* '''hither''' - to here, to this place; hither and thither in various directions<br />
* '''hither'''<sub>2</sub> - nearer, closer<br />
* '''hoar''' - grey- or white-haired<br />
* '''hobble''' - limp, walk with difficulty<br />
* '''hock''' - the middle joint of a horse's or pony's leg<br />
* '''houseleek''' - a fleshy plant that grows on the walls and roofs of houses<br />
* '''hue''' - form or shape<br />
* '''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)<br />
* '''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><br />
* '''hunter's moon''' - the full moon of mid- to late October<br />
* '''hythe''' - a small harbour or haven, especially on a river<br />
==I==<br />
* '''ill''' - evil, wrong<br />
* '''inaureoled''' surrounded with a halo, (the word is only recorded in the O.E.D. in a poem by Francis Thompson, 1897).<br />
==J==<br />
* '''jacinth''' - blue<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''jetsam''' - items thrown overboard from a ship, and later washed ashore<br />
==K==<br />
* '''keen''' - sharp<br />
* '''kerb''' - a raised edge to a road or path<br />
* '''kindle''' - set fire to, begin to burn<br />
==L==<br />
* '''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.<br />
* '''lave''' - wash, bathe<br />
* '''lay''' - a poem that is meant to be sung<br />
* '''league''' - a measure of distance, about three miles<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''leaguer''' - an encampment or encampments, especially for defensive purposes<br />
* '''leave''' - permission<br />
* '''lee''' - shelter, especially from wind and weather<br />
* '''leech''' - healer<br />
* '''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. <ref>[[Mark T. Hooker]], ''[[The Hobbitonian Anthology]]'', pp. 165-172.</ref><br />
* '''[[legendarium]]''' - term coined by Tolkien to mean [[Arda]], in all of its mythological entirety<br />
* '''lets upon''' gives on to, opens on to<br />
* '''lief''' gladly, willingly<br />
* '''liever''' more gladly, more willingly, rather<br />
* '''lissom''' - lithe, supple<br />
* '''loath''' - reluctant<br />
* '''lob''' - spider (seen, for example, in the name [[Shelob]])<br />
* '''loth''' - reluctant [a variation on loath above]<br />
* '''louver''' - a domed structure built on a roof with side-openings to allow smoke to escape<br />
* '''lustihead''' vigour<br />
==M==<br />
* '''malefactor''' - one who commits an evil act<br />
* '''mantle''' - cloak, cover<br />
* '''mar''' - spoil or damage beyond repair<br />
* '''march''' - share borders<br />
* '''marchwarden''' - border guard<br />
* '''mark''' - notice, detect<br />
* '''marshal''' - place in proper order<br />
* '''mattock''' - a primitive weapon, originally a farming tool, perhaps best described as a double-headed battle-hoe<br />
* '''maw''' - jaws and throat, especially of a ferocious animal<br />
* '''mayhap''' - perhaps<br />
* '''mead''' - an alcoholic drink made from honey<br />
* '''mead'''<sub>2</sub> - meadow<br />
* '''meed''' - requital<br />
* '''mere''' - lake or pond<br />
* '''mew''' - a type of gull<br />
* '''midge''' - tiny airborne biting insect; not unlike a mosquito, but much smaller<br />
* '''minished''' reduced, diminished<br />
* '''mischance''' - accident<br />
* '''misgive''' - fill with doubt or suspicion<br />
* '''moonshine''' - fantastic ideas<br />
* '''muster''' - collect, assemble<br />
==N==<br />
* '''nethermost''' - lowest, deepest<br />
* '''nicety''' - precision, exactness; weigh to a nicety measure exactly<br />
* '''nigh''' - near; well nigh, wellnigh almost, very nearly<br />
* '''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)<br />
* '''noisome''' - foul-smelling, poisonous<br />
* '''nook''' - corner, recess<br />
==O==<br />
* '''obeisance''' - bowing or kneeling in submission<br />
* '''oft''' - often<br />
* '''or ... or''' - either ... or<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''or yet''' - apparently means "already",<br />
* '''ostler''' - stable-keeper<br />
* '''ousel''' blackbird, 43 (now spelled ouzel, in Ring-ouzel and other bird-names).<br />
* '''oust''' - take possession of another's lands, property, title, etc.<br />
* '''outworn''' - exhausted<br />
* '''overbear''' - defeat by weight of numbers<br />
==P==<br />
* '''pallid''' - pale<br />
* '''panoply''' - full suit of armour<br />
* '''parapet''' - defensive wall built to protect troops<br />
* '''parley''' - discuss terms of peace or cease-fire<br />
* '''passward''' - something granting passage of a guard<br />
* '''pate''' - head, mind<br />
* '''pent''' - restricted, confined<br />
* '''penthouse''' - the area beneath a sloping roof, especially as a later extension to an existing building<br />
* '''perforce''' - having no choice, being forced<br />
* '''pinion''' - a bird's wing, and especially the tip<br />
* '''plash''' - splash<br />
* '''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.) <br />
* '''pled''' old past tense of plead, 186<br />
* '''plenilune''' - the time of full moon (see ''[[Letters]]'' p. 310).<br />
* '''portage''' - transporting a boat overland<br />
* '''portent''' - omen, sign<br />
* '''postern''' - a back- or side-entrance<br />
* '''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.<br />
* '''profound''' - deep<br />
* '''prosy''' - dull, contented with the commonplace<br />
* '''provender''' - food<br />
* '''puissant''' - powerful<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''purloin''' - steal<br />
==Q==<br />
* '''quaff''' - drink deeply<br />
* '''quail''' - give way to, be intimidated by<br />
==R==<br />
* '''raiment''' - clothing<br />
* '''rearguard''' - that part of an army set to cover its rear ranks, especially in retreat<br />
* '''recked''' - troubled, cared<br />
* '''rede''' - counsel, advice; plan; redes counsels<br />
* '''redound''' - contribute to, advance<br />
* '''redress''' - setting right<br />
* '''reft''' - past tense of the old word reave, to take by force<br />
* '''rent''' - past tense of rend, to tear or split<br />
* '''repair''' - make one's way, go<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''respite''' - relief, calm interval<br />
* '''revelry''' - merrymaking<br />
* '''rick''' - a stack, especially of hay<br />
* '''rill''' - a small stream<br />
* '''rondured''' - (in '''golden-rondured'''). Rondure "circle, rounded form"; rondured is not recorded.<br />
* '''rude''' - simple, primitive<br />
* '''rue''' - regret, repent of<br />
* '''rumour''' - sound<br />
* '''ruth''' - matter of sorrow, calamity; distress, grief; remorse<br />
==S==<br />
* '''sable''' - heraldic term for black<br />
* '''sallow''' - having yellow or pale brown skin<br />
* '''saps''' - deep diggings<br />
* '''sate''' - old past tense of sit<br />
* '''save''' - except<br />
* '''seamews''' - seagulls<br />
* '''selenites''' - inhabitants of the [[Moon]]<br />
* '''semblance''' - appearance<br />
* '''shade''' - ghost or phantasm<br />
* '''shallop''' - This word had precise applications to particular kinds of boat, but here apparently means "open boat propelled by oars and sail".<br />
* '''shank''' - leg; especially that part between the knee and ankle<br />
* '''share''' - share=ploughshare, but used here of the blade of a scythe.<br />
* '''sheaf''' - bundle or cluster of stalks<br />
* '''shoal''' - a particularly shallow part of a river- or sea-bed<br />
* '''shore''' - slice, tear (an old past tense of "shear")<br />
* '''shun''' - refuse<br />
* '''sister-son''' - nephew<br />
* '''sledge-blows''' blows as of a sledge, a large heavy hammer<br />
* '''slot''' - track of an animal<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''slowcoach''' - someone who moves slowly, or is often late<br />
* '''sluggard''' - slow or lazy person<br />
* '''smite''' - strike, attack (the past tense is smote)<br />
* '''snuff''' - sniff deeply<br />
* '''sojourn''' - temporary stay<br />
* '''sooth''' - true, truthful<br />
* '''sortie''' - an attack launched by a besieged force<br />
* '''spinney''' - group of trees, or small wood<br />
* '''sprent''' - past participle of the lost verb sprenge "sprinkle, scatter"<br />
* '''sprite(s)''' - spirit(s)<br />
* '''stead''' - place, position<br />
* '''stem''' - block, hold back<br />
* '''stock''' - the trunk or stump of a tree; stock and stone inanimate things<br />
* '''stoop''' - in falconry, to swoop on prey<br />
* '''straightway''' - immediately, directly<br />
* '''strait''' - narrowly confining<br />
* '''straitly''' - narrowly, tightly<br />
* '''strand''' - shore, shoreline, especially a beach<br />
* '''stricken''' - struck, beaten;<ref name="LT2"/> (as an adjective) damaged, broken<br />
* '''suaded''' - persuaded<br />
* '''succour''' - give aid<br />
* '''sunder''' - divide, separate<br />
* '''surname''' - an additional name indicating some quality or ability (as distinct from modern usage, surname in this context has no connection with family)<br />
* '''sward''' - region of short grass, lawn<br />
* '''swart''' - dark-skinned<br />
* '''swarthy''' - dark-skinned<br />
* '''swath''' - a strip of grass that has been flattened or mown<br />
* '''swoon''' - faint<br />
==T==<br />
* '''tarn''' - mountain lake<br />
* '''tarry''' - pause, wait<br />
* '''thanksgiving'''- festival of giving thanks, as in a prayer<br />
* '''thenceforward''' - from that time on<br />
* '''thither''' - to or in that place<br />
* '''thraldom''' - slavery<br />
* '''thrall''' - slave<br />
* '''thrawn''' - twisted, misshapen<br />
* '''thrawn'''<sub>2</sub> - obstinate, stubborn<br />
* '''throe''' - violent agony<br />
* '''throve''' - old past tense of 'thrive'<br />
* '''thwart''' - foil, stop<br />
* '''tidings''' - news<br />
* '''tipsy''' - slightly drunk<br />
* '''tithe''' - tenth part<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''toils''' - trap, snare<br />
* '''toothsome''' - pleasantly appetising<br />
* '''tors''' - rocky hill-tops<br />
* '''toss-pot''' - drunkard<br />
* '''tracery''' - complex interlinked ornamentation<br />
* '''traffic''' - trade<br />
* '''trammels''' - nets, traps<br />
* '''traverse''' - travel through or across<br />
* '''trillups''', '''trillaping''' - Unknown<br />
* '''trove''' - found treasure<br />
* '''truncheon''' - a wooden shaft used as a weapon, or part of a weapon<br />
* '''tryst''' - a prearranged meeting; '''break tryst''' fail to appear at the agreed upon time and place<br />
* '''tumult''' - noisy disturbance<br />
* '''tunic''' - a loose, short-sleeved garment<br />
* '''tuppence''' - two pence, a very small amount of money; not care tuppence have no interest<br />
* '''turnkey''' - jailer<br />
* '''tussock''' - clump of grass<br />
* '''twine''' - twist strands together into a rope<br />
<br />
==U==<br />
* '''umbel''' - long flower, as in hemlock or parsley<br />
* '''unblazoned''' - an heraldic term, plain, undecorated<br />
* '''umbraged''' - (in '''wide-umbraged''') Umbraged "shaded, shadowed", but here in the sense "shadowing", "casting a shade".<br />
* '''ungentle''' - rough, coarse<br />
* '''unquiet''' - anxious, concerned<br />
* '''unsated''' - unsatisfied<br />
* '''unsullied''' - pure, uncorrupted<br />
* '''upbraid''' - criticise<br />
* '''upheave''' - push or force upwards<br />
==V==<br />
* '''vale''' - the valley of a river<br />
* '''varmint''' - pest, bothersome person or animal<br />
* '''vassal''' - servant, bondsman<br />
* '''vie''' - struggle with, be rival to<br />
* '''vigil''' - watchfulness; hold vigil make devotion<br />
* '''viol''' - an old instrument, usually with six strings, similar to a violin but held in a vertical position like a 'cello<br />
==W==<br />
* '''waif''' - homeless person<br />
* '''wain''' - wagon; The Wain the constellation of the Plough or Big Dipper<br />
* '''wan''' - pale<br />
* '''wards''' - the "teeth" of a key<br />
* '''ware''' - old form of aware<br />
* '''waver''' - shimmer, flicker<br />
* '''waver'''<sub>2</sub> - show indecision<br />
* '''wax''' - grow stronger; increase<br />
* '''waylay''' - intercept, prevent from going forward<br />
* '''wayward''' - uncontrollable, unpredictable<br />
* '''web(s)''' - woven fabric<br />
* '''wellnigh''' - almost, very nearly<br />
* '''weregild''' - a payment in compensation for a death (literally "man-money")<br />
* '''wheedle''' - coax, persuade<br />
* '''whelm''' - engulf, cover<br />
* '''whence''' - from where<br />
* '''whereat''' - for which reason<br />
* '''wherefore''' - for what (or which) reason<br />
* '''whet''' - sharpen<br />
* '''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.<br />
* '''whitethorn''' - hawthorn<br />
* '''whither''' - to which place<br />
* '''wildered''' - perplexed, bewildered<br />
* '''wile''' - trick, deceit<br />
* '''wizened''' - of shriveled appearance<br />
* '''wold''' - an upland region of moorland<br />
* '''wont''' - customarily, regularly; wont to err thus regularly make mistakes of this kind<br />
* '''worrit''' - worry<br />
* '''worst''' - defeat<br />
* '''wrack''' - devastation, downfall, ruin, (compare with [http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/rack_3?view=uk rack and ruin])<ref name="LT2">{{HM|LT2}}, "Short Glossary of Obsolete, Archaic and Rare Words"</ref><br />
* '''wrack'''<sub>2</sub> - clouds being driven by a strong wind?<br />
* '''wraith''' - ghost, apparition<br />
* '''wreathe''' - engulf, surround (especially of vapour or fire)<br />
* '''wrest''' - take by force<br />
* '''writhen''' - writhing, twisting<br />
* '''wroth''' - angry<br />
==Y==<br />
* '''yammer''' - wail, weep, cry<br />
* '''yoke''' - wooden harness for oxen; under the yoke under complete control<br />
* '''yonder''' - over there<br />
* '''yore''' - long ago<br />
<br />
==Z==<br />
* '''zenith''' - highest point<br />
==External Links==<br />
*[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.<br />
*[http://www.tolkienenglishglossary.com/ A Tolkien English Glossary (web edition)]<br />
{{references}}<br />
[[Category:Languages (real-world)]]</div>188.23.217.156https://tolkiengateway.net/w/index.php?title=Uncommon_words&diff=110618Uncommon words2010-06-21T23:29:07Z<p>188.23.217.156: /* E */</p>
<hr />
<div>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. <br />
<br />
This article attempts to list as many of these words as possible in alphabetical order. If you feel a particular word is missing, please feel free to [{{SERVER}}{{localurl:{{NAMESPACE}}:{{PAGENAME}}|action=edit}} edit this page] and add it in yourself.<br />
<br />
==A==<br />
* '''abide''' - put up with, tolerate; await;<br />
* '''abjure''' - renounce, turn away from<br />
* '''abroad''' - in the open, at large<br />
* '''adamant''' - diamond, or (more generally) any very hard substance<br />
* '''afield''' - away, especially from home<br />
* '''aforetime''' - in earlier times<br />
* '''aghast''' - terrified, amazed<br />
* '''agin''' - a dialect word meaning "against", "next to"<br />
* '''aloof''' - hanging over ones head<br />
* '''amiss''' - not as things should be<br />
* '''an''' - if<br />
* '''anon''' - soon; ever and anon often<br />
* '''apace''' - quickly<br />
* '''argent''' - silver<br />
* '''arrassed''' - covered with arras (rich figured tapestry)<br />
* '''assuage''' - soften, lessen, soothe<br />
* '''astonied''' - stunned, astonished<br />
* '''aught''' - anything<br />
==B==<br />
* '''bade''' - old past tense of "bid", pronounced "bad"<br />
* '''baldric''' - a shoulder-belt for carrying horns, swords, etc<br />
* '''bannock''' - flat bread-cake<br />
* '''barrel''' - the long, cylindrical part of a key<br />
* '''baseborn''' - ignoble, illegitimate<br />
* '''bason''' - formerly a common spelling of basin<br />
* '''bay''' - (of a dog) bark or howl<br />
* '''bebother''' - bring trouble upon<br />
* '''befall''' - happen, occur<br />
* '''belie''' - give a false impression<br />
* '''benighted''' - in, or overtaken by, darkness<br />
* '''bent''' - open place covered with grass<br />
* '''beset''' - attacked, assaulted by enemies<br />
* '''besom''' - a stiff broom made out of sticks and twigs<br />
* '''besotted''' - made drunk<br />
* '''besotted'''<sub>2</sub> - obsessed, entranced<br />
* '''besought''' - old past tense of beseech<br />
* '''bier''' - platform for carrying a coffin or body<br />
* '''billow''' - (large) wave<br />
* '''bivouac''' - temporary camp, without tents<br />
* '''blazoned''' - painted or inscribed (an heraldic term)<br />
* '''bond''' - storage of wine, etc, until duty has been paid; out of bond released from this<br />
* '''booby''' - stupid person<br />
* '''boon''' - favour, gift<br />
* '''brakes''' - thickets<br />
* '''brazen''' - made of brass<br />
* '''brood''' - children<br />
* '''brood'''<sub>2</sub> - related creatures<br />
* '''brook''' - tolerate, accept<br />
* '''buckler''' - a small round shield, held in one hand<br />
* '''bulwark''' - a defensive structure<br />
* '''burg''' - walled and fortified town<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''burgeon''' - come forth, bud, begin to grow quickly<br />
* '''burnished''' - polished<br />
==C==<br />
* '''cairn''' - a mound of stones or rocks, used as a marker, memorial or tomb<br />
* '''carcanet''' - jeweled necklace<br />
* '''carouse''' - drink heavily<br />
* '''carven''' - old form of 'carved'<br />
* '''cataract''' - waterfall<br />
* '''cesspool''' - a pool of waste-water or sewage<br />
* '''chalcedony''' - a precious form of quartz onyx, agate and cornelian are all types of chalcedony<br />
* '''champ''' - (of a horse) munch on the bit, showing eagerness<br />
* '''charger''' large dish<br />
* '''chime''' - agree with, be in harmony with<br />
* '''circlet''' - a thin band of precious metal, worn on the head<br />
* '''clamant''' - clamorous, noisy<br />
* '''clave''' - old past tense of cleave, in the sense 'stick, adhere'<br />
* '''clomb''' - old past tense of climb<br />
* '''cloven''' - split into two<br />
* '''cob''' - spider (the name survives in the term 'cobweb')<br />
* '''coëval''' - born at the same time<br />
* '''coffer''' - strongbox, especially for holding valuables<br />
* '''comely''' - pleasant-looking<br />
* '''commons''' - shared food; short commons insufficient food<br />
* '''compass''' - accomplish, achieve<br />
* '''conclave''' - a meeting, or the place where a meeting is held<br />
* '''concourse''' - large group of people; crowd<br />
* '''confines''' - borders; borderlands<br />
* '''confusticate''' - a nonsense word, probably not intended to have a meaning (though its Latin roots can be interpreted "beat with a cudgel")<br />
* '''constellate''' formed into a constellation<br />
* '''cony''' - rabbit<br />
* '''cools''' - coolnesses<br />
* '''coomb''' - short valley in the side of a hill or mountain<br />
* '''coop''' - cage, imprison<br />
* '''corbel''' basket<br />
* '''corslet''' - a piece of armour covering the body, but not the arms or legs<br />
* '''cot''' - a small cottage<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''counsels''' - words of advice<br />
* '''covet''' - be jealous of, desire<br />
* '''covetice''' - (inordinate) desire, covetousness<br />
* '''cozen''' - lie to, cheat, deceive<br />
* '''craven''' - coward<br />
* '''crocks''' - items of crockery plates, dishes, etc.<br />
* '''culvert''' - a channel carrying water beneath a thoroughfare<br />
* '''cumbrous''' - awkward, inconvenient<br />
* '''cunning-handed''' - deft, artful, dexterous<br />
* '''curdle''' - turn sour<br />
==D==<br />
* '''dainty''' - morsel, delicacy<br />
* '''damask''' - steel and iron specially welded to make a serpentine pattern<br />
* '''darkling''' - dark (poetical)<br />
* '''daunt''' - intimidate<br />
* '''declaim''' - speak or recite passionately<br />
* '''deem''' - consider, conclude<br />
* '''defile''' - ruin, corrupt<br />
* '''defray''' - pay for<br />
* '''dell''' - small valley<br />
* '''descry''' - catch sight of, especially something difficult to see<br />
* '''devices''' - things, especially situations, devised or engineered<br />
* '''dingle''' - deep hollow, usually shaded with trees<br />
* '''dissemble''' - hide one's true intentions<br />
* '''divers''' - numerous and various<br />
* '''dolven''' - delved, dug out<br />
* '''doom''' - fate (as opposed to modern usage, doom in this sense is not necessarily bad)<br />
* '''dotard''' - a person who has lost their wits, especially through old age<br />
* '''doughty''' - strong, powerful<br />
* '''draught''' - drawing or pulling force<br />
* '''draught'''<sub>2</sub> - a drink drawn from a barrel or storage jar<br />
* '''drear''' - dismal, gloomy<br />
* '''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<br />
* '''dry''' - (of bricks or stone) laid without mortar<br />
* '''durstn't''' - dare not<br />
* '''dwimmer-crafty''' - skilled in the arts of magic<br />
==E==<br />
* '''eaves''' - the fring of a forest (from the resemblance of the overhanging forest canopy to the eaves of a house)<br />
* '''eld''' - old age<br />
* '''ell''' - a measure of length, usually equivalent to 45 inches or 114 cm<br />
* '''embattled''' - of a fortress, having battlements<br />
* '''embattled'''<sub>2</sub> - 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")<br />
* '''embrasure''' - beveled door or window frame cut into a wall<br />
* '''encompass''' - surround<br />
* '''ere''' - before<br />
* '''errantry''' - journeying in search of adventure<br />
* '''espy''' - catch sight of<br />
* '''essay''' - attempt<br />
* '''esteem''' - consider to be of worth; esteem too lightly underestimate<br />
* '''et''' - a variation of "ate", common in British rural dialects<br />
* '''etten''' - eaten - see "et"<br />
* '''ewer''' - pitcher for water<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''eyot''' - a small island<ref name="LT2"/><br />
<br />
==F==<br />
* '''faggot''' - bundle of sticks used as firewood<br />
* '''fain''' gladly; disposed, desirous; fain of well-pleased with<br />
* '''falter''' - waver, lose courage<br />
* '''fane''' temple<br />
* '''fare''' - travel, go on a journey<br />
* '''fastness''' - secure fortress<br />
* '''fawn''' - cringe, grovel<br />
* '''fealty''' - allegiance and service to a lord<br />
* '''feign''' - pretend<br />
* '''fell''' - merciless, terrifying<br />
* '''fell'''<sub>2</sub> - animal's hide<br />
* '''fell'''<sub>3</sub> - moorland hill<br />
* '''fender''' - a metal frame placed around a fireplace<br />
* '''fetter''' - chain, shackle<br />
* '''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.<br />
* '''field''' - background color on a flag or shield in heraldry.<br />
* '''figured''' - marked with drawings or writing<br />
* '''firth''' - An inlet of the sea at a wide river estuary<br />
* '''flagon''' - large jug or mug, usually used to hold wine or beer<br />
* '''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.<br />
* '''flank''' - the exposed side of an attacking or marching army<br />
* '''flittermice''' - [[bats]]<br />
* '''flotsam''' - floating wreckage; flotsam and jetsam items washed up by the sea, or a flood (also used figuratively)<br />
* '''flummoxed''' - bewildered, disconcerted<br />
* '''footpad''' - a thief (historically, a "footpad" was a highwayman who had no horse)<br />
* '''forbear''' - hold back from<br />
* '''forebode''' - foresee (especially something that is evil)<br />
* '''forespeak''' - foretell, predict<br />
* '''foreswear''' - swear not to do something<br />
* '''forgo''' - let go, do without<br />
* '''forlorn''' - abandoned, desolate<br />
* '''forsake''' - desert, turn away from (the past tense is forsook)<br />
* '''forsooth''' - in truth, actually<br />
* '''fortnight''' - a period of two weeks<br />
* '''fosse''' - a defensive trench or ditch; pit<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''founder''' - sink, after taking on water<br />
* '''fraught''' - full (of)<br />
* '''freshet''' - a stream, or (strictly) a flood of fresh water<br />
* '''furlong''' - one eighth of a mile (220 yards), or about one fifth of a kilometre<br />
==G==<br />
* '''gaffer''' - a word meaning both "old man" and "foreman"* its use as the nickname of Hamfast Gamgee is probably mean to combine both meanings.<br />
* '''gainsay''' - contradict<br />
* '''gallop''' - boil and bubble<br />
* '''game''' - crippled<br />
* '''gammer''' - old woman<br />
* '''garth''' - an enclosed garden or yard<br />
* '''ghyll''' - deep ravine<br />
* '''gibbet''' - A gallows built to display the body of an executed criminal<br />
* '''gimlet''' - A sharp boring tool, similar in general design to a corkscrew; see like gimlets see sharply<br />
* '''girdle''' - belt or cord used especially to confine clothing<br />
* '''girdle'''<sub>2</sub> - something which surrounds or encircles; girdle of Arda the central regions of Arda, equidistant from the far north and south<br />
* '''girt''' - bound or attached with a belt<br />
* '''glede''' - burning coal or cinder<br />
* '''gloaming''' - the twilight of evening<br />
* '''glower''' - scowl, frown<br />
* '''goggle''' - stare with round eyes<br />
* '''gorcrow''' - carrion crow<br />
* '''graven''' - engraved, carved<br />
* '''greened''' - made green from the mosses and lichens on a tree's trunk<br />
* '''grot''' - old form of "grotto"; an ornamental or picturesque cavern<br />
* '''guileful''' - treacherous, deceitful<br />
* '''gunwale''' - the top edge of a boat's side, pronounced (and sometimes spelt) 'gunnel'<br />
==H==<br />
* '''habergeon''' - a mail-coat without sleeves<br />
* '''hale''' - robust, strong of body<br />
* '''hame''' - hide, pelt<br />
* '''hang''' - to leave food, especially game, in the open until it becomes "high" or tender<br />
* '''harbour''' - succor, assistance<br />
* '''hardly''' - with great difficulty<br />
* '''hardly'''<sub>2</sub> - only just<br />
* '''harry''' - ravage<br />
* '''haste''' - hurry, rush<br />
* '''hauberk''' - mail-coat<br />
* '''headstall''' - a covering for a horse's head, used as an alternative to bridle and bit<br />
* '''hearken''' - listen, pay attention<br />
* '''heed''' - thought, consideration<br />
* '''heedless''' - careless of danger<br />
* '''hence''' - from here<br />
* '''hew''' - chop, slice<br />
* '''hither''' - to here, to this place; hither and thither in various directions<br />
* '''hither'''<sub>2</sub> - nearer, closer<br />
* '''hoar''' - grey- or white-haired<br />
* '''hobble''' - limp, walk with difficulty<br />
* '''hock''' - the middle joint of a horse's or pony's leg<br />
* '''houseleek''' - a fleshy plant that grows on the walls and roofs of houses<br />
* '''hue''' - form or shape<br />
* '''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)<br />
* '''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><br />
* '''hunter's moon''' - the full moon of mid- to late October<br />
* '''hythe''' - a small harbour or haven, especially on a river<br />
==I==<br />
* '''ill''' - evil, wrong<br />
* '''inaureoled''' surrounded with a halo, (the word is only recorded in the O.E.D. in a poem by Francis Thompson, 1897).<br />
==J==<br />
* '''jacinth''' - blue<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''jetsam''' - items thrown overboard from a ship, and later washed ashore<br />
==K==<br />
* '''keen''' - sharp<br />
* '''kerb''' - a raised edge to a road or path<br />
* '''kindle''' - set fire to, begin to burn<br />
==L==<br />
* '''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.<br />
* '''lave''' - wash, bathe<br />
* '''lay''' - a poem that is meant to be sung<br />
* '''league''' - a measure of distance, about three miles<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''leaguer''' - an encampment or encampments, especially for defensive purposes<br />
* '''leave''' - permission<br />
* '''lee''' - shelter, especially from wind and weather<br />
* '''leech''' - healer<br />
* '''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. <ref>[[Mark T. Hooker]], ''[[The Hobbitonian Anthology]]'', pp. 165-172.</ref><br />
* '''[[legendarium]]''' - term coined by Tolkien to mean [[Arda]], in all of its mythological entirety<br />
* '''lets upon''' gives on to, opens on to<br />
* '''lief''' gladly, willingly<br />
* '''liever''' more gladly, more willingly, rather<br />
* '''lissom''' - lithe, supple<br />
* '''loath''' - reluctant<br />
* '''lob''' - spider (seen, for example, in the name [[Shelob]])<br />
* '''loth''' - reluctant [a variation on loath above]<br />
* '''louver''' - a domed structure built on a roof with side-openings to allow smoke to escape<br />
* '''lustihead''' vigour<br />
==M==<br />
* '''malefactor''' - one who commits an evil act<br />
* '''mantle''' - cloak, cover<br />
* '''mar''' - spoil or damage beyond repair<br />
* '''march''' - share borders<br />
* '''marchwarden''' - border guard<br />
* '''mark''' - notice, detect<br />
* '''marshal''' - place in proper order<br />
* '''mattock''' - a primitive weapon, originally a farming tool, perhaps best described as a double-headed battle-hoe<br />
* '''maw''' - jaws and throat, especially of a ferocious animal<br />
* '''mayhap''' - perhaps<br />
* '''mead''' - an alcoholic drink made from honey<br />
* '''mead'''<sub>2</sub> - meadow<br />
* '''meed''' - requital<br />
* '''mere''' - lake or pond<br />
* '''mew''' - a type of gull<br />
* '''midge''' - tiny airborne biting insect; not unlike a mosquito, but much smaller<br />
* '''minished''' reduced, diminished<br />
* '''mischance''' - accident<br />
* '''misgive''' - fill with doubt or suspicion<br />
* '''moonshine''' - fantastic ideas<br />
* '''muster''' - collect, assemble<br />
==N==<br />
* '''nethermost''' - lowest, deepest<br />
* '''nicety''' - precision, exactness; weigh to a nicety measure exactly<br />
* '''nigh''' - near; well nigh, wellnigh almost, very nearly<br />
* '''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)<br />
* '''noisome''' - foul-smelling, poisonous<br />
* '''nook''' - corner, recess<br />
==O==<br />
* '''obeisance''' - bowing or kneeling in submission<br />
* '''oft''' - often<br />
* '''or ... or''' - either ... or<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''or yet''' - apparently means "already",<br />
* '''ostler''' - stable-keeper<br />
* '''ousel''' blackbird, 43 (now spelled ouzel, in Ring-ouzel and other bird-names).<br />
* '''oust''' - take possession of another's lands, property, title, etc.<br />
* '''outworn''' - exhausted<br />
* '''overbear''' - defeat by weight of numbers<br />
==P==<br />
* '''pallid''' - pale<br />
* '''panoply''' - full suit of armour<br />
* '''parapet''' - defensive wall built to protect troops<br />
* '''parley''' - discuss terms of peace or cease-fire<br />
* '''passward''' - something granting passage of a guard<br />
* '''pate''' - head, mind<br />
* '''pent''' - restricted, confined<br />
* '''penthouse''' - the area beneath a sloping roof, especially as a later extension to an existing building<br />
* '''perforce''' - having no choice, being forced<br />
* '''pinion''' - a bird's wing, and especially the tip<br />
* '''plash''' - splash<br />
* '''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.) <br />
* '''pled''' old past tense of plead, 186<br />
* '''plenilune''' - the time of full moon (see ''[[Letters]]'' p. 310).<br />
* '''portage''' - transporting a boat overland<br />
* '''portent''' - omen, sign<br />
* '''postern''' - a back- or side-entrance<br />
* '''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.<br />
* '''profound''' - deep<br />
* '''prosy''' - dull, contented with the commonplace<br />
* '''provender''' - food<br />
* '''puissant''' - powerful<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''purloin''' - steal<br />
==Q==<br />
* '''quaff''' - drink deeply<br />
* '''quail''' - give way to, be intimidated by<br />
==R==<br />
* '''raiment''' - clothing<br />
* '''rearguard''' - that part of an army set to cover its rear ranks, especially in retreat<br />
* '''recked''' - troubled, cared<br />
* '''rede''' - counsel, advice; plan; redes counsels<br />
* '''redound''' - contribute to, advance<br />
* '''redress''' - setting right<br />
* '''reft''' - past tense of the old word reave, to take by force<br />
* '''rent''' - past tense of rend, to tear or split<br />
* '''repair''' - make one's way, go<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''respite''' - relief, calm interval<br />
* '''revelry''' - merrymaking<br />
* '''rick''' - a stack, especially of hay<br />
* '''rill''' - a small stream<br />
* '''rondured''' - (in '''golden-rondured'''). Rondure "circle, rounded form"; rondured is not recorded.<br />
* '''rude''' - simple, primitive<br />
* '''rue''' - regret, repent of<br />
* '''rumour''' - sound<br />
* '''ruth''' - matter of sorrow, calamity; distress, grief; remorse<br />
==S==<br />
* '''sable''' - heraldic term for black<br />
* '''sallow''' - having yellow or pale brown skin<br />
* '''saps''' - deep diggings<br />
* '''sate''' - old past tense of sit<br />
* '''save''' - except<br />
* '''seamews''' - seagulls<br />
* '''selenites''' - inhabitants of the [[Moon]]<br />
* '''semblance''' - appearance<br />
* '''shade''' - ghost or phantasm<br />
* '''shallop''' - This word had precise applications to particular kinds of boat, but here apparently means "open boat propelled by oars and sail".<br />
* '''shank''' - leg; especially that part between the knee and ankle<br />
* '''share''' - share=ploughshare, but used here of the blade of a scythe.<br />
* '''sheaf''' - bundle or cluster of stalks<br />
* '''shoal''' - a particularly shallow part of a river- or sea-bed<br />
* '''shore''' - slice, tear (an old past tense of "shear")<br />
* '''shun''' - refuse<br />
* '''sister-son''' - nephew<br />
* '''sledge-blows''' blows as of a sledge, a large heavy hammer<br />
* '''slot''' - track of an animal<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''slowcoach''' - someone who moves slowly, or is often late<br />
* '''sluggard''' - slow or lazy person<br />
* '''smite''' - strike, attack (the past tense is smote)<br />
* '''snuff''' - sniff deeply<br />
* '''sojourn''' - temporary stay<br />
* '''sooth''' - true, truthful<br />
* '''sortie''' - an attack launched by a besieged force<br />
* '''spinney''' - group of trees, or small wood<br />
* '''sprent''' - past participle of the lost verb sprenge "sprinkle, scatter"<br />
* '''sprite(s)''' - spirit(s)<br />
* '''stead''' - place, position<br />
* '''stem''' - block, hold back<br />
* '''stock''' - the trunk or stump of a tree; stock and stone inanimate things<br />
* '''stoop''' - in falconry, to swoop on prey<br />
* '''straightway''' - immediately, directly<br />
* '''strait''' - narrowly confining<br />
* '''straitly''' - narrowly, tightly<br />
* '''strand''' - shore, shoreline, especially a beach<br />
* '''stricken''' - struck, beaten;<ref name="LT2"/> (as an adjective) damaged, broken<br />
* '''suaded''' - persuaded<br />
* '''succour''' - give aid<br />
* '''sunder''' - divide, separate<br />
* '''surname''' - an additional name indicating some quality or ability (as distinct from modern usage, surname in this context has no connection with family)<br />
* '''sward''' - region of short grass, lawn<br />
* '''swart''' - dark-skinned<br />
* '''swarthy''' - dark-skinned<br />
* '''swath''' - a strip of grass that has been flattened or mown<br />
* '''swoon''' - faint<br />
==T==<br />
* '''tarn''' - mountain lake<br />
* '''tarry''' - pause, wait<br />
* '''thanksgiving'''- festival of giving thanks, as in a prayer<br />
* '''thenceforward''' - from that time on<br />
* '''thither''' - to or in that place<br />
* '''thraldom''' - slavery<br />
* '''thrall''' - slave<br />
* '''thrawn''' - twisted, misshapen<br />
* '''thrawn'''<sub>2</sub> - obstinate, stubborn<br />
* '''throe''' - violent agony<br />
* '''throve''' - old past tense of 'thrive'<br />
* '''thwart''' - foil, stop<br />
* '''tidings''' - news<br />
* '''tipsy''' - slightly drunk<br />
* '''tithe''' - tenth part<ref name="LT2"/><br />
* '''toils''' - trap, snare<br />
* '''toothsome''' - pleasantly appetising<br />
* '''tors''' - rocky hill-tops<br />
* '''toss-pot''' - drunkard<br />
* '''tracery''' - complex interlinked ornamentation<br />
* '''traffic''' - trade<br />
* '''trammels''' - nets, traps<br />
* '''traverse''' - travel through or across<br />
* '''trillups''', '''trillaping''' - Unknown<br />
* '''trove''' - found treasure<br />
* '''truncheon''' - a wooden shaft used as a weapon, or part of a weapon<br />
* '''tryst''' - a prearranged meeting; '''break tryst''' fail to appear at the agreed upon time and place<br />
* '''tumult''' - noisy disturbance<br />
* '''tunic''' - a loose, short-sleeved garment<br />
* '''tuppence''' - two pence, a very small amount of money; not care tuppence have no interest<br />
* '''turnkey''' - jailer<br />
* '''tussock''' - clump of grass<br />
* '''twine''' - twist strands together into a rope<br />
<br />
==U==<br />
* '''umbel''' - long flower, as in hemlock or parsley<br />
* '''unblazoned''' - an heraldic term, plain, undecorated<br />
* '''umbraged''' - (in '''wide-umbraged''') Umbraged "shaded, shadowed", but here in the sense "shadowing", "casting a shade".<br />
* '''ungentle''' - rough, coarse<br />
* '''unquiet''' - anxious, concerned<br />
* '''unsated''' - unsatisfied<br />
* '''unsullied''' - pure, uncorrupted<br />
* '''upbraid''' - criticise<br />
* '''upheave''' - push or force upwards<br />
==V==<br />
* '''vale''' - the valley of a river<br />
* '''varmint''' - pest, bothersome person or animal<br />
* '''vassal''' - servant, bondsman<br />
* '''vie''' - struggle with, be rival to<br />
* '''vigil''' - watchfulness; hold vigil make devotion<br />
* '''viol''' - an old instrument, usually with six strings, similar to a violin but held in a vertical position like a 'cello<br />
==W==<br />
* '''waif''' - homeless person<br />
* '''wain''' - wagon; The Wain the constellation of the Plough or Big Dipper<br />
* '''wan''' - pale<br />
* '''wards''' - the "teeth" of a key<br />
* '''ware''' - old form of aware<br />
* '''waver''' - shimmer, flicker<br />
* '''waver'''<sub>2</sub> - show indecision<br />
* '''wax''' - grow stronger; increase<br />
* '''waylay''' - intercept, prevent from going forward<br />
* '''wayward''' - uncontrollable, unpredictable<br />
* '''web(s)''' - woven fabric<br />
* '''wellnigh''' - almost, very nearly<br />
* '''weregild''' - a payment in compensation for a death (literally "man-money")<br />
* '''wheedle''' - coax, persuade<br />
* '''whelm''' - engulf, cover<br />
* '''whence''' - from where<br />
* '''whereat''' - for which reason<br />
* '''wherefore''' - for what (or which) reason<br />
* '''whet''' - sharpen<br />
* '''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.<br />
* '''whitethorn''' - hawthorn<br />
* '''whither''' - to which place<br />
* '''wildered''' - perplexed, bewildered<br />
* '''wile''' - trick, deceit<br />
* '''wizened''' - of shriveled appearance<br />
* '''wold''' - an upland region of moorland<br />
* '''wont''' - customarily, regularly; wont to err thus regularly make mistakes of this kind<br />
* '''worrit''' - worry<br />
* '''worst''' - defeat<br />
* '''wrack''' - devastation, downfall, ruin, (compare with [http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/rack_3?view=uk rack and ruin])<ref name="LT2">{{HM|LT2}}, "Short Glossary of Obsolete, Archaic and Rare Words"</ref><br />
* '''wrack'''<sub>2</sub> - clouds being driven by a strong wind?<br />
* '''wraith''' - ghost, apparition<br />
* '''wreathe''' - engulf, surround (especially of vapour or fire)<br />
* '''wrest''' - take by force<br />
* '''writhen''' - writhing, twisting<br />
* '''wroth''' - angry<br />
==Y==<br />
* '''yammer''' - wail, weep, cry<br />
* '''yoke''' - wooden harness for oxen; under the yoke under complete control<br />
* '''yonder''' - over there<br />
* '''yore''' - long ago<br />
<br />
==Z==<br />
* '''zenith''' - highest point<br />
==External Links==<br />
*[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.<br />
*[http://www.tolkienenglishglossary.com/ A Tolkien English Glossary (web edition)]<br />
{{references}}<br />
[[Category:Languages (real-world)]]</div>188.23.217.156