English 230: Great Narrative Works

Scimitar: Noun. [LOTR, book 2, chapter 5, page 329, 7th paragraph]
OED definition: a sort sword with a curved blade that broadens near the point, used originally in Eastern countries.
Description of the weapons the beings advancing toward Gandalf are brandishing.
“The warriors fought their epic battle using only their scimitars.”

PLEASE NOTE: These words were chosen in an attempt to erase any negative connotations associated with these words with regard to the gay community.

Faggot: (in this case) Noun. [LOTR, book 2, chapter 3, page 287, 7th paragraph]
OED definition: a bundle of sticks bound together as fuel.
Boromir is discussing the following move with Gandalf, and is stating what they should take with them as they leave.
“The hikers each carried a faggot of wood for the evening fire.”

Sallow: Adjective. [LOTR, book 1, chapter 12, page 180, last paragraph]
OED definition: (of a person’s face or complexion) of a yellowish or pale brown colour.
Describing the face of someone Frodo saw through a window.
“The jaundiced man had a complexion that was rather sallow.”

Queer: (in this case) Adjective. [LOTR, book 1, chapter 1, page 22, 4th paragraph]
OED definition: strange; odd.
Used by Old Noakes to describe the folks in Buckland.
“The behavior of the eldest child who stole the candy from the jar was quite queer.”

Sluggard: Noun. [LOTR, book 1, chapter 6, page 109, first paragraph]
OED definition: a lazy sluggish person.
Used when Merry is trying to awaken Fatty. Used to describe his lazy demeanor at the time.
“The deadliest sin of the sluggard is sloth.”

Unsheathed, verb [LOTR, book 1, chapter 11, page 176, third paragraph]

OED definition: not encased in a close-fitting or protective covering

The verb was used to describe the observation of the figure by the door and how their was a blade drawn that wasn't encased anymore.

The knight unsheathed his sword and took a protected stance toward the unwanted visitor.

Peril, noun [LOTR, chapter 5, page 104, fourth paragraph]

OED definition: 1. very likely to suffer from 2. at risk of losing or injuring

This word was used by Frodo to explain to his friends that their journey was not going to be easy.

This journey was going to be their last deadly peril they would have to face and survive.

bough: (noun) a main branch of a tree.

The Fellowship of the Ring passed under the boughs of Mirkwood.

Once Mike climbed to the top the the tallest tree, he sat upon the thickest bough and gazed out over the forest.

hillock: (noun) a small hill or mound.

The Fellowship of the Ring had to trudge through hillocks of snow.

Mike tripped and rolled down to the bottom of the hillock.

heed: (verb) pay attention to. (noun) (usually pay (or take) heed) careful attention.

In the Mines of Moria, The Fellowship of the Ring is confronted by a group of orcs. Aragorn kills the orc captain and the rest run away in terror. The Fellowship continues on their path, taking no heed of the cowardly orcs.

When Mike saw Frank on campus, he called out to him and waved hello. Frank was in a hurry, so he kept walking, taking no heed of Mike.