The Hobbit: Chapters 7–10

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. appalling
    causing shock, dismay, or horror
    He can be appalling when he is angry, though he is kind enough if humoured.
  2. unimpeachable
    beyond doubt or reproach
    "That is Mr. Baggins, a hobbit of good family and unimpeachable reputation," said Gandalf.
  3. lament
    regret strongly
    They were still standing over him, cursing their ill luck, and Bombur's clumsiness, and lamenting the loss of the boat which made it impossible for them to go back and look for the hart, when they became aware of the dim blowing of horns in the wood and the sound as of dogs baying far off.
  4. straggle
    go, come, or spread in a rambling or irregular way
    They had crossed the enchanted stream; but beyond it the path seemed to straggle on just as before, and in the forest they could see no change.
  5. disquieting
    causing mental discomfort
    At times they heard disquieting laughter.
  6. loathsome
    highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust
    Standing behind a tree he watched a group of them for some time, and then in the silence and stillness of the wood he realised that these loathsome creatures were speaking one to another.
  7. gloaming
    the time of day immediately following sunset
    They dwelt most often by the edges of the woods, from which they could escape at times to hunt, or to ride and run over the open lands by moonlight or starlight; and after the coming of Men they took ever more and more to the gloaming and the dusk.
  8. surly
    unfriendly and inclined toward anger or irritation
    They were surly and angry and did not even pretend to be polite.
  9. portcullis
    an iron or wooden grating hanging in the entry to a castle
    There the rocky roof came down close to the surface of the stream, and from it a portcullis could be dropped right to the bed of the river to prevent anyone coming in or out that way. But the portcullis was often open, for a good deal of traffic went out and in by the water-gate.
  10. astride
    with one leg on each side
    Then he saw that it would have been no good even if he had managed to get astride his barrel, for there was no room to spare, not even for a hobbit, between its top and the suddenly stooping roof where the gate was.
  11. suppressed
    held in check or kept back with difficulty
    Of course helped by his magic ring he got on very well at first, but he was given away in the end by his wet footsteps and the trail of drippings that he left wherever he went or sat; and also he began to snivel, and wherever he tried to hide he was found out by the terrific explosions of his suppressed sneezes.
  12. allude
    make an indirect reference to
    Great floods and rains had swollen the waters that flowed east; and there had been an earthquake or two (which some were inclined to attribute to the dragon — alluding to him chiefly with a curse and an ominous nod in the direction of the Mountain).
  13. ominous
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
    Great floods and rains had swollen the waters that flowed east; and there had been an earthquake or two (which some were inclined to attribute to the dragon — alluding to him chiefly with a curse and an ominous nod in the direction of the Mountain).
  14. enmity
    a state of deep-seated ill-will
    The Elvenking was very powerful in those parts and the Master wished for no enmity with him, nor did he think much of old songs, giving his mind to trade and tolls, to cargoes and gold, to which habit he owed his position.
  15. obscure
    not clearly understood or expressed
    Even Bilbo was given a seat at the high table, and no explanation of where he came in — no songs had alluded to him even in the obscurest way — was asked for in the general bustle.
Created on Thu Dec 05 20:13:50 EST 2013 (updated Mon Jun 23 17:37:01 EDT 2025)

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