The Hobbit: Chapters 15–19

by J.R.R. Tolkien
In this prequel to The Lord of the Rings, Bilbo Baggins enjoys a quiet life until a group of dwarves and a wizard named Gandalf enlist him in their quest for a dragon's treasure.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–6, Chapters 7–10, Chapters 11–14, Chapters 15–19

Click here to explore our other lists about Middle-Earth.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. covet
    wish, long, or crave for
    There used to be great friendship between them and the people of Thror; and they often brought us secret news, and were rewarded with such bright things as they coveted to hide in their dwellings.
  2. decrepit
    lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality
    Before long there was a fluttering of wings, and back came the thrush; and with him came a most decrepit old bird. He was getting blind, he could hardly fly, and the top of his head was bald.
  3. alight
    settle or come to rest
    He alighted stiffly on the ground before them, slowly flapped his wings, and bobbed towards Thorin.
  4. amends
    a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury
    By the lake men murmur that their sorrows are due to the dwarves; for they are homeless and many have died, and Smaug has destroyed their town. They too think to find amends from your treasure, whether you are alive or dead.
  5. parley
    a negotiation between enemies
    We are not yet foes, and we rejoice that you are alive beyond our hope. We came expecting to find none living here; yet now that we are met there is matter for a parley and a council.
  6. besiege
    surround so as to force to give up
    “Since such is your answer," he called in return, "I declare the Mountain besieged. You shall not depart from it, until you call on your side for a truce and a parley. We will bear no weapons against you, but we leave you to your gold. You may eat that, if you will!”
  7. sentinel
    a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
    "Who are you? Are you the dwarves' hobbit? What are you doing? How did you get so far past our sentinels?" they asked one after another.
  8. stricken
    affected by something overwhelming
    Then Thorin was stricken dumb with amazement and confusion.
  9. forbear
    refrain from doing
    It was rightly guessed that I could not forbear to redeem the Arkenstone, the treasure of my house.
  10. hauberk
    a long tunic of chain mail formerly worn as defensive armor
    Each one of his folk was clad in a hauberk of steel mail that hung to his knees, and his legs were covered with hose of a fine and flexible metal mesh, the secret of whose making was possessed by Dain’s people.
  11. reconciliation
    the reestablishment of cordial relations
    Let us hope still for something that will bring reconciliation.
  12. multitude
    a large gathering of people
    Soon they could see the lands before the Mountain’s feet black with a hurrying multitude.
  13. feint
    any distracting or deceptive maneuver
    A few brave men were strung before them to make a feint of resistance, and many there fell before the rest drew back and fled to either side.
  14. vanguard
    the leading units moving at the head of an army
    As Gandalf had hoped, the goblin army had gathered behind the resisted vanguard, and poured now in rage into the valley, driving wildly up between the arms of the Mountain, seeking for the foe.
  15. extravagant
    characterized by richness and abundance
    His gold and silver was largely spent in presents, both useful and extravagant — which to a certain extent accounts for the affection of his nephews and his nieces.
Created on Thu Dec 05 20:36:58 EST 2013 (updated Mon Jun 23 18:19:57 EDT 2025)

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