For the first several hundred years of its use, grow seems to have referred only to vegetation. If you know my thoughts about the Food graph and the hope I derive from that little uptick at the end, then you can imagine my delight that

…the Forest will grow somewhat more wholesome.

The Hobbit 19.007

Please note that, in chapters 11 through 17, it is not often organic things which grow, but darkness or light, or sounds or discomfort.

• 1.004 because their feet grow natural leathery soles
• 1.005 until Bilbo Baggins was grown up,
• 1.122 Anyway they grew immensely rich
• 1.122 which we never bothered to grow or find for ourselves.
• 2.028 and the roads grew steadily worse.
• 3.008 They were growing anxious,
• 3.008 with flowers growing bright
• 3.012 The air grew warmer as they got lower,
• 3.034 grew refreshed
• 4.003 and danger had grown
• 4.038 growing fainter behind him.
• 5.011 while their eyes grew bigger
• 5.026 And yet never grows?
• 5.101 As suspicion grew
• 5.122 As the count grew he slowed down,
• 6.003 but all the while a very uncomfortable thought was growing inside him.
• 6.045 and over the black tops of those growing lower down
• 6.048 they came suddenly to an opening where no trees grew.
• 7.024 It grew very hot.
• 7.025 all the same kinds growing together as if they had been planted.
• 7.095 but Beorn seemed to be growing drowsy
• 7.096 and the voices seemed to grow far away,
• 7.126 and nuts are about all that grows there fit for food;
• 7.134 Ivy grew on them
• 8.004 before they grew to hate the forest
• 8.036 Nothing wholesome could they see growing
• 8.038 and they grew very weary.
• 8.041 of an enormous oak that grew right out into the path,
• 8.131 and grew fairer
• 8.131 that grew tall
• 9.018 though no vines grew
• 9.029 until his following had grown to twelve –
• 9.061 where the trees on either hand grew thinner.
• 10.001 The day grew lighter
• 10.005 late in the day the shores grew rocky,
• 10.038 and they quickly grew fat
• 10.039 grew stronger every day.
• 11.004 The land about them grew bleak
• 11.019 and they grew terrified, too,
• 11.026 and our beards will grow
• 12.004 may your beard grow ever longer,’
• 12.011 As he went forward it grew
• 12.011 and grew,
• 12.011 This grew to the unmistakable gurgling noise
• 12.031 they could hear the roar of the flying dragon grow
• 12.033 the terror of the dwarves grew less.
• 12.069 Now a nasty suspicion began to grow
• 12.081 and his heels grew properly again:
• 12.090 and his foreboding grew.
• 12.099 Darkness grew deeper
• 12.099 and he grew ever more uneasy.
• 13.018 The light grew smaller
• 13.019 Slowly it grew to a little globe of pallid light.
• 13.032 he grows suddenly bold,
• 13.046 and the grey light grew suddenly more full.
• 14.011 and growing ever huger
• 14.011 before the roar of Smaug’s terrible approach grew loud,
• 14.025 and the wind grew loud
• 15.043 and grew merry;
• 16.003 and he grew afraid,
• 16.003 for as the weariness of the days grew heavier,
• 16.010 may his beard grow ever longer;
• 17.042 Even as Gandalf had been speaking the darkness grew.
• 17.059 And as the valley widened his onset grew ever slower.
• 18.022 and he seemed to have grown almost to giant-size
• 18.038 May your beards never grow thin!’
• 18.049 May your shadow never grow less
• 19.002 Here grass is still growing,
• 19.007 the Forest will grow somewhat more wholesome.

It’s old, it’s clean and classic, it’s formed from the negating particle ne plus ever.

• 1.003 but also because they never had any adventures
• 1.005 The chance never arrived,
• 1.017 and never came undone till ordered?
• 1.090 may the hair on his toes never fall out!
• 1.091 may never return.
• 1.092 At may never return
• 1.122 which we never bothered to grow or find for ourselves.
• 1.123 and never enjoy a brass ring of it.
• 1.124 But we have never forgotten our stolen treasure.
• 1.128 and has never been seen by you since-‘
• 1.130 and he never told me yours;
• 1.132 but he never got near the Mountain.
• 1.134 Never you mind.
• 2.001 (“but with never a thank-you” he thought);
• 2.005 you have never dusted the mantelpiece!”
• 2.019 Bilbo could never remember how he found himself outside,
• 2.028 and sang songs Bilbo had never heard before.
• 2.030 never turning round or taking any notice of the hobbit.
• 2.032 never saying if he was in the adventure
• 2.045 “Never a blinking bit of manflesh
• 2.048 He had read of a good many things he had never seen or done.
• 2.088 “or we’ll never have done.
• 2.101 “I never did.
• 2.102 “That I never did!”
• 2.106 William never spoke
• 2.106 and never move again.
• 2.126 or we shall never get anywhere!”
• 3.002 He had never seen a thing
• 3.008 with a pack on its back would never have come out again.
• 3.012 Bilbo never forgot the way they slithered
• 3.025 although he had never seen them before.
• 3.050 and never a cloud,
• 4.005 Bilbo had never seen or imagined
• 4.034 and never let them see the light again!”
• 5.008 that men have mostly never heard or have forgotten long ago.
• 5.011 and never swam out again,
• 5.012 but never a ripple did he make.
• 5.012 but he took care they never found him out.
• 5.018 (who always spoke to himself through never having anyone else to speak to).
• 5.026 And yet never grows?
• 5.046 Never thirsty, ever drinking,
• 5.046 All in mail never clinking.
• 5.047 who never had anything to do with the water if he could help it.
• 5.081 Never you mind,
• 5.096 But you never guessed my last question,
• 5.097 Never guessed!’ said Gollum.
• 5.117 never, gollum!
• 6.026 never minded explaining his cleverness
• 6.030 (even the hobbit had never forgotten the magic fireworks
• 6.080 But he never leaped.
• 6.085 Bilbo never forgot that flight,
• 6.086 and he had never liked ladders,
• 6.086 (never having had to escape from wolves before).
• 6.099 (Dwarves have never taken to matches even yet.)
• 7.009 Bilbo never saw them again –
• 7.025 Bilbo had never seen anything like them.
• 7.038 Never heard of him,’
• 7.046 as he had never seen half of them before.
• 7.056 who was never very polite.
• 7.088 He never invited people into his house,
• 7.088 and he never invited more than a couple of these to his house at a time.
• 7.147 it is a thousand to one you will never find it again
• 7.147 and never get out of Mirkwood;
• 8.006 were careful never to let their bodies show
• 8.036 they would never have managed it;
• 8.041 Poor Mr. Baggins had never had much practice
• 8.052 I hope I never wake up again.’
• 8.056 if we never got back alive from it,’
• 8.057 and never finding his friends again.
• 8.081 like a patch of midnight that had never been cleared away.
• 8.097 You’ll never catch me up your tree!
• 8.131 that never went to Faerie
• 9.001 but they never found out if they were right.
• 9.002 they never found or counted the hobbit.
• 9.011 never daring to take off his ring,
• 9.011 so he never discovered the ways out of the wood,
• 9.066 some of these are never empty.
• 10.006 Bilbo had never imagined
• 10.014 I hope I never smell the smell of apples again!’ said Fili.
• 10.040 I have never heard what happened
• 10.040 and Bilbo was careful never to become invisible.
• 10.043 He had never thought
• 11.019 and never called or sang,
• 12.015 had never yet come home to him.
• 12.020 He had never felt quite happy about it,
• 12.020 and wondered why he had never blocked it up.
• 12.021 but have never before used or wanted.
• 12.038 Never mind that for the moment!
• 12.043 He had forgotten or had never heard about
• 12.067 Had you never thought of the catch?
• 12.068 He had never bothered to wonder
• 12.068 certainly never how any part of it that might fall to his share
• 12.080 Never laugh at live dragons,
• 12.087 I had never said that
• 12.095 Bilbo wished he had never heard them,
• 12.095 when they declared that they had never thought at all
• 12.096 but they were never delivered or paid for;
• 12.096 had never been made before,
• 13.050 I never expected to be looking out of this door.
• 13.050 And I never expected to be so pleased to see the sun again,
• 14.022 You have never failed me
• 14.043 He would never again return
• 15.017 may his feathers never fall,
• 16.033 I never met such suspicious folk!
• 16.039 personally I never really felt like one –
• 17.017 Never again will I have dealings
• 17.019 and may we never meet again!’
• 18.014 Well I never!
• 18.038 May your beards never grow thin!’
• 18.038 May your memory never fade!’
• 18.049 May your shadow never grow less
• 18.051 and he was never in great danger again.
• 19.029 By caves where never sun has shone,
• 19.029 By streams that never find the sea;
• 19.037 and were never accounted for.
• 19.037 On their side they never admitted

Yet is even older than up, adjective and adverb… and in The Hobbit, five out of 81 uses are poetical!

• 1.001 nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole
• 1.100 You may (possibly) all live to thank me yet.
• 2.001 and yet in a way he could not help feeling
• 2.048 and yet –
• 2.048 and yet somehow he could not go straight back
• 2.073 “There’s more to come yet,” said Tom,
• 3.007 but they had not got there yet,
• 3.028 “He is too fat to get through key-holes yet!”
• 3.031 Yet there is little to tell about their stay.
• 5.005 and yet not far enough.’
• 5.026 And yet never grows?
• 5.040 Yet golden treasure inside is hid,
• 5.095 No, not yet,
• 5.128 or tried to yet.
• 6.064 and had not yet escaped at all.
• 6.099 (Dwarves have never taken to matches even yet.)
• 7.024 if any had been ripe enough yet to have fallen to the ground.
• 7.076 that haven’t yet come out of their boxes?’
• 7.080 or else you haven’t told me yet
• 7.081 Oin and Gloin yet.
• 7.106 Yet in the night he woke:
• 7.121 Not eaten up by Wargs or goblins or wicked bears yet I see’ ;
• 7.126 The time is not yet come for nuts
• 8.006 Although it was not yet very cold,
• 8.035 Yet if they had known more about it
• 8.037 Yet the light only showed them
• 8.133 since he had not yet as great a treasure as other elf-lords of old.
• 9.011 yet he did not dare to march among them because of his shadow
• 9.015 not yet,
• 10.012 that they could hardly yet realize their release
• 11.005 but they dared not climb it yet,
• 11.014 yet they did not doubt that they had found the door at last.
• 11.021 and yet they would not give it up
• 12.015 had never yet come home to him.
• 12.017 not yet –
• 12.027 they had been through yet.
• 12.033 and that it was no good giving up their quest yet.
• 12.080 You aren’t nearly through this adventure yet,’
• 12.089 and a blessing yet
• 13.017 and join him yet.
• 13.019 and yet,
• 13.021 and that trouble would yet come of it.
• 13.034 but he spoke of it yet to no one.
• 13.040 This treasure is not yet won back.
• 13.040 We are not looking for gold yet,
• 13.043 and climbed yet more stairs,
• 13.043 and yet more stairs again.
• 13.046 As they came through yet more doors
• 14.025 they had not yet realized.
• 15.046 We are not yet foes,
• 15.046 yet now that we are met
• 15.048 and I am yet the servant of their Master.
• 15.049 yet he had an eye for many another wonderful thing
• 16.010 yet he was ever a dwarf with a stiff neck.’
• 17.024 But things may change yet.’
• 17.034 and by that time yet more dwarves might come,
• 17.034 and yet more,
• 17.043 There is yet time for council.
• 17.045 Yet this would be perilous,
• 17.047 Let us take our places while there is yet time!’
• 17.054 and yet giving slowly back;
• 17.059 that should have lived yet long ages merrily
• 17.062 dark shapes small yet majestic against the distant glow.
• 17.065 though as yet nothing could be seen
• 18.002 At any rate I am not yet one of the fallen heroes;
• 18.018 Yet I am glad that I have shared
• 18.033 Yet a fourteenth share of all the silver and gold,
• 18.035 Yet even though you were willing
• 18.042 yet many were glad,
• 18.044 while the world is yet young!
• 18.053 snow yet unmelted was gleaming pale.
• 19.002 And leaves are yet swinging,
• 19.002 And elves are yet singing
• 19.005 when a part of the story which he did not yet know came in.
• 19.007 Yet I wish he were banished from the world!’
• 19.009 and yet more tales,
• 19.015 Yet I thank you.’
• 19.016 yet we thank you,’
• 19.018 Yet even that place could not long delay him now,
• 19.021 There is a long road yet,’ said Gandalf.
• 19.031 Yet feet that wandering have gone

Richard Blackwelder only noted four uses of up in his A Tolkien Thesaurus, and I wonder at the amount of curating he did. It’s an old, old word. It’s a noun, verb, adjective, preposition, and — most commonly — adverb. It has seven different entries in the OED, and is used almost four hundred times in our work.

• 1.004 and the family hushed it up;
• 1.005 until Bilbo Baggins was grown up,
• 1.006 and adventures sprouted up all over the place wherever he went,
• 1.010 that sailed up into the air without breaking
• 1.017 They used to go up like great lilies
• 1.023 After a while he stepped up,
• 1.028 and hung his things up
• 1.032 he said when he caught sight of Dwalin’s green hood hanging up.
• 1.050 Then they hung up two yellow hoods
• 1.058 and things piled up on big trays,
• 1.062 “Now to clear up!’
[01.063]”
• 1.066 Pound them up with a thumping pole;
• 1.068 up the chimney,
• 1.068 of the smoke-rings he had sent up the wind over The Hill.
• 1.080 And men looked up with faces pale;
• 1.083 Then something Tookish woke up inside him,
• 1.083 Suddenly in the wood beyond The Water a flame leapt up –
• 1.084 He got up trembling.
• 1.092 he began to feel a shriek coming up inside,
• 1.092 All the dwarves sprang up,
• 1.116 up along the River Running,’
• 1.121 and live up to Gandalf’s recommendation.
• 1.122 up the Running River as far as the valley
• 1.123 and gold was probably getting scarce up there,
• 1.123 One day he flew up into the air
• 1.123 and when he reached the woods they all went up
• 1.123 The river rushed up
• 1.123 he has piled it all up
• 1.124 as best we could up
• 1.142 they all got up.
• 1.142 One thing he did make his mind up about
• 1.142 was not to bother to get up very early
• 1.145 when he woke up.
• 2.001 Up jumped Bilbo,
• 2.001 and without bothering to wake him up
• 2.002 and washed up.
• 2.006 I have had enough to do with washing up for fourteen!”
• 2.009 up to and not exceeding
• 2.023 “Up you two get,
• 2.027 when up came Gandalf very splendid on a white horse.
• 2.030 Wind got up,
• 2.031 The wind broke up the grey clouds,
• 2.039 Up the hill they went;
• 2.042 he got right up to the fire –
• 2.046 and time’s been up our way,
• 2.049 Then Bilbo plucked up courage
• 2.052 “What is it?” said the others coming up.
• 2.058 picking up a skewer.
• 2.060 and he picked him up by the toes
• 2.062 holding him right way up,
• 2.072 up came Balin.
• 2.075 As each dwarf came up
• 2.079 He caught up a big branch
• 2.079 but he was sent spinning up into the top of some bushes,
• 2.079 when Tom kicked the sparks up
• 2.080 But just at that moment William came up behind
• 2.080 all neatly tied up in sacks,
• 2.080 and Bilbo up in a bush,
• 2.088 “Shut up!” said they,
• 2.089 “Shut up yerself!” said Tom,
• 2.111 They followed the tracks up the hill,
• 2.116 they did not turn their noses up
• 2.117 Then they brought up their ponies,
• 3.007 only one vast slope going slowly up
• 3.007 and up to meet the feet of the nearest mountain,
• 3.013 and he looked up at the stars.
• 3.026 when sun has been all day on the snow far up above.
• 3.040 He held up the map
• 4.001 that led up into those mountains,
• 4.002 they were still going up
• 4.002 and up
• 4.002 and up.
• 4.002 It was getting bitter cold up here,
• 4.004 when storms come up from East
• 4.005 They were high up
• 4.006 we shall be picked up by some giant
• 4.010 who knew that caves up
• 4.012 So they all got up
• 4.012 He lit up his wand
• 4.013 and set dancing up by the roof to amuse them.
• 4.015 At that he woke up with a horrible start,
• 4.016 It had wakened him up wide
• 4.017 even than when the troll had picked him up by his toes.
• 4.028 “Up to no good, I’ll warrant!
• 4.030 Might I ask what you were doing up
• 4.035 right up to the roof,
• 4.041 Then Gandalf lit up his wand.
• 4.045 said poor Mr. Baggins bumping up
• 4.050 But they were seen by the goblins that ran silently up behind,
• 5.002 Very slowly he got up
• 5.002 but neither up nor down it could he find anything:
• 5.002 and gave himself up to complete miserableness,
• 5.007 On we go!’ So up he got,
• 5.010 That pulled him up sharp
• 5.011 in from outside to lie up
• 5.011 and joined them up with passages,
• 5.014 Suddenly up came Gollum
• 5.026 Up, up it goes,
• 5.026 Up, up it goes,
• 5.034 and he was so pleased that he made up one on the spot.
• 5.036 Gollum brought up memories of ages
• 5.062 There he found the ring he had picked up
• 5.075 Time’s up!’ he said.
• 5.082 We can’t go up the tunnels so hasty.
• 5.083 Well, hurry up!’
• 5.104 but he saw that all was up,
• 5.104 back up the dark passage down which he had come,
• 5.106 coming up the slope.
• 5.107 pick himself up,
• 5.108 Painfully he got up,
• 5.110 Bilbo pricked up his ears.
• 5.119 With a spring Gollum got up
• 5.122 on their left as they went up.
• 5.126 There was Gollum sitting humped up right
• 5.128 welled up
• 5.134 began to go up again,
• 5.140 Go back up the passage!’ some shouted.
• 5.145 got up, and ran for the door.
• 5.148 while bewildered goblins were still picking up
• 6.003 He had just made up his mind that it was his duty,
• 6.010 tripped up your feet,
• 6.011 Then why didn’t you pick him up again?’
• 6.014 Bilbo’s reputation went up a very great deal
• 6.025 He wanted to know how the wizard had turned up again,
• 6.026 Evidently people had given up going that way,
• 6.026 because it had been found quite safe up to now.
• 6.027 a more or less decent giant to block it up again,’
• 6.028 and worked up the best magic he could
• 6.031 and no one has ever managed to block it up.
• 6.034 And we are still pretty high up.
• 6.041 that here stood right up the mountain slope
• 6.048 The moon was up
• 6.052 Up the trees quick!’ cried Gandalf;
• 6.052 or were slender enough to swarm up.
• 6.052 and up they went as high as ever they could trust the branches.
• 6.052 if you had seen the dwarves sitting up
• 6.052 Dwalin and Balin had swarmed up a tall slender fir
• 6.055 and up trees!
• 6.056 and give Mr. Baggins a hand up!’
• 6.057 and let Bilbo scramble up
• 6.058 A wolf snapped at his cloak as he swung up,
• 6.058 and leaping up at the trunk,
• 6.063 and letting the people up the trees escape,
• 6.064 stuck up in a tall tree
• 6.067 He swept up into the air,
• 6.067 at either hand leaped up to follow him.
• 6.067 They circled up
• 6.067 and yelping come up faint from far beneath him.
• 6.071 Then suddenly goblins came running up yelling.
• 6.082 who were scrambling up now as far as they ever dared to go.
• 6.083 and up they went together above the tumult
• 6.084 The flames about the trees sprang suddenly up
• 6.084 They went up
• 6.085 and they were high up
• 6.090 said Bilbo sitting up
• 6.090 and are up
• 6.092 Soon another eagle flew up.
• 6.092 and to begin to think of being torn up for supper like a rabbit,
• 6.099 The eagles had brought up dry boughs for fuel,
• 6.099 or cutting up meat,
• 6.100 He slept curled up on the hard rock
• 7.001 The next morning Bilbo woke up
• 7.001 He jumped up to look at the time
• 7.002 and saw that the birds were already high up
• 7.024 Up slope
• 7.025 had begun to spring up,
• 7.026 I should swell up as big again as I am!’
• 7.032 trotted up across the grass
• 7.045 and fell golden on the garden full of flowers that came right up to the steps.
• 7.054 and are not up to any mischief
• 7.054 what are you up to,
• 7.082 Hurry up!
• 7.083 he got up
• 7.087 gasped Bombur puffing up behind.
• 7.088 I suppose that is all that there were up the trees.
• 7.09 You may be making it all up,
• 7.092 and set them up near the fire.
• 7.104 Suddenly up stood Gandalf.
• 7.105 you must not stray outside until the sun is up,
• 7.109 Get up lazybones,’
• 7.11 Up jumped Bilbo.
• 7.111 We have been about looking for Beorn ever since the sun got up;
• 7.117 but on the other side is a cliff standing up from a swirling channel.
• 7.117 and then miles back again to pick up the tracks again.
• 7.12 Then he woke up when everyone else was asleep,
• 7.121 He picked up the hobbit
• 7.121 Not eaten up by Wargs or goblins or wicked bears yet I see’ ;
• 7.122 and right back up into the mountains –
• 7.133 sticking up out of the long grass,
• 7.134 The land began to slope up
• 7.134 and up,
• 7.142 So cheer up Bilbo
• 7.142 Cheer up Thorin
• 7.149 You must either go through or give up your quest.
• 7.151 keep your spirits up,
• 8.006 but they soon gave that up.
• 8.006 so they gave up fires
• 8.014 The boat is sure to be tied up,
• 8.015 but it looks to me as if it was just drawn up on the bank,
• 8.019 Fili picked up the hook
• 8.029 The shadows swallowed it up,
• 8.035 if they could have kept up their courage
• 8.041 but they hoisted him up into the lowest branches
• 8.041 and up he had to go as best he could.
• 8.042 He could hear the dwarves shouting up at him from far below,
• 8.044 so that from its top the trees seemed to swell up
• 8.045 which they were too heavy to climb up and feel.
• 8.047 He woke up suddenly
• 8.047 and sat up scratching his head.
• 8.048 Why ever did I wake up!’
• 8.049 If you hadn’t waked up,
• 8.052 I hope I never wake up again.’
• 8.054 Even Bombur got up,
• 8.055 gasped Bombur puffing up behind.
• 8.059 every one of them got up
• 8.059 and it went up
• 8.062 Up they all jumped.
• 8.065 They were just giving up hope,
• 8.065 and he found it was the hobbit curled up fast asleep.
• 8.071 Up they got again;
• 8.072 The fires leaped up
• 8.074 But he soon made up his mind
• 8.074 so that when he got up he fell over.
• 8.075 who had been busy tying him up while he dozed,
• 8.08 Having made up his mind he crept along as cleverly as he could.
• 8.089 and a toe shot up
• 8.092 He could not get up at the brutes
• 8.092 While he was picking up stones,
• 8.092 with all its legs curled up.
• 8.097 You’ll never catch me up your tree!
• 8.098 but then you must remember that he had to make it up himself,
• 8.099 Bilbo plucked up his courage
• 8.104 The worst part of the job was getting up on to the long branch
• 8.104 he scrambled up –
• 8.105 If he cut the string which hung him up,
• 8.107 between them they started to haul up first one dwarf
• 8.109 and kept back those that crawled up.
• 8.112 and had tied him up again
• 8.113 Don’t stay up there
• 8.113 For he saw spiders swarming up all the neighbouring trees,
• 8.114 who was being propped up on either side by his cousin Bifur,
• 8.123 the spiders suddenly gave it up,
• 8.125 Some of them even got up
• 9.001 They got up
• 9.003 Bilbo had all he could do to keep up with the torches,
• 9.003 to catch them up
• 9.004 and he only made up his mind not to desert his friends
• 9.011 He could not keep up with the hunting elves
• 9.011 he could pick up a living
• 9.014 Soon however he made up his mind
• 9.019 and other goods came up the rivers,
• 9.019 From Lake-town the barrels were brought up the Forest River.
• 9.019 and poled or rowed up the stream;
• 9.024 and it would not do to send up poor stuff!’
• 9.041 while the song is up!’
• 9.052 which pulled up the portcullis at the water-gate
• 9.053 Up from mere and pool at night!
• 9.053 Up the heavens cold and steep;
• 9.055 He came up again spluttering
• 9.055 for you cannot count friends that are all packed up in barrels.
• 9.056 He heard the creak of the water-gate being hauled up,
• 9.056 but at last the jostling crowd began to break up
• 9.059 up the side of his barrel
• 9.059 Up he crawled like a drowned rat,
• 9.062 He no longer thought twice about picking up a supper uninvited
• 9.064 They were making up a raft of barrels,
• 10.002 filled with the waters of the river which broke up
• 10.006 Only from the map did Bilbo know that away up there,
• 10.007 that came up the great river from the South
• 10.009 Soon men would come up from the South
• 10.009 to be taken back up the stream to the Wood-elves’ home.
• 10.012 so after a few more groans he got up
• 10.034 Others took up the song
• 10.036 and of fiddles mixed up with it.
• 10.036 So he gave up to him his own great chair
• 10.037 A large house was given up to Thorin
• 10.038 and Smaug chopped up into little pieces.
• 10.04 up the Forest River with their cargoes,
• 10.045 and off they went north up the lake
• 11.001 they rowed right up the Long Lake
• 11.001 some miles up the river,
• 11.013 searching for paths up the mountain-side.
• 11.014 but at its inner end a flat wall rose up that
• 11.016 and up the newly found path,
• 11.017 hauling up what they needed from below with their ropes.
• 11.017 while Bofur was hauled up to the higher camp.
• 11.017 Bombur would not come up either the rope or the path.
• 11.019 Out up there a silence reigned,
• 11.021 and yet they would not give it up
• 11.031 the others shouted to be hauled up the ropes
• 11.035 Thorin hurried up.
• 11.037 Then Thorin stepped up
• 12.009 if only I could wake up
• 12.01 He did not wake up of course,
• 12.011 Wisps of vapour floated up
• 12.017 while the little hobbit toiled back up the long tunnel.
• 12.018 He picked Bilbo up
• 12.019 as if it was an old volcano that had made up its mind
• 12.019 but up the long tunnel came the dreadful echoes,
• 12.02 and wondered why he had never blocked it up.
• 12.021 and up towards the Front Gate.
• 12.022 and up he soared blazing into the air
• 12.027 Up came Bofur,
• 12.027 Up came Bombur,
• 12.027 Up came some tools
• 12.029 Flickering fires leaped up
• 12.032 that men had come up from the river and the lake
• 12.033 and that it was no good giving up their quest yet.
• 12.034 and stirring up Smaug’s wrath so soon.
• 12.035 I should want hundreds of years to bring it all up,
• 12.04 and see what he is up to.
• 12.04 Perhaps something will turn up.
• 12.043 Cheer up Bilbo!’
• 12.064 But plucking up courage he spoke again.
• 12.07 and to keep his end up,
• 12.071 while far up
• 12.078 and fled up the tunnel.
• 12.079 and fast though he sped up the slope,
• 12.081 In the meanwhile his friends did their best to cheer him up;
• 12.082 he picked up a stone
• 12.091 to stop up our entrance,
• 12.1 and getting up he kicked away the stone that wedged the door.
• 12.103 and up the water you came without a doubt.
• 13.002 So several of the dwarves got up
• 13.009 and did not dare to get up,
• 13.012 Bilbo got up,
• 13.023 going up into the gloom.
• 13.043 and up,
• 13.043 up,
• 13.055 The road from the Gate along the left edge of the stream seems all broken up.
• 13.055 up the right bank,
• 13.055 and climbed up to the post.
• 13.059 I hope he is not up on the Mountain looking down at us!’
• 13.065 It scrambled steeply up,
• 13.068 said Dori, who was always looking up towards the Mountain’s peak,
• 14.004 Something is happening up there.’
• 14.013 A hail of dark arrows leaped up
• 14.02 it told him of tidings up
• 14.024 A vast steam leaped up,
• 14.032 and people further off took up the cry:
• 14.032 Up the Bowman,
• 14.034 had stirred the dragon up against them deliberately!
• 14.039 up the river to the Forest
• 14.043 higher up the shore;
• 15.016 They all sprang up
• 15.024 for the peaceful winding up of these affairs.
• 15.028 and hauled stuff up with ropes.
• 15.031 come up to the valley’s head
• 15.031 and climb slowly up.
• 15.033 and as it echoed up towards them it seemed
• 15.044 and marching up the valley.
• 16.007 That night Bilbo made up his mind.
• 16.008 I wish we could have a fire up here as they have
• 16.017 when up came elves
• 16.036 stood up in amazement.
• 16.045 but keep your heart up!
• 16.046 when he clambered up the rope again –
• 16.047 At midnight he woke up Bombur;
• 16.047 in turn rolled himself up
• 17.032 coming up the valley at a great pace.
• 17.032 and held up their hands
• 17.04 Winter thunder on a wild wind rolled roaring up
• 17.048 driving wildly up between the arms of the Mountain,
• 17.065 Soon they too took up the cry,
• 17.065 Many wondering eyes looked up,
• 18.003 He sat up painfully.
• 18.005 Suddenly he was aware of a man climbing up
• 18.012 and picked him lightly up.
• 18.016 He looked up as Bilbo came beside him.
• 18.02 that I woke up when I did.
• 18.032 There now Dain son of Nain took up his abode,
• 18.033 was given up to Bard;
• 18.053 At last they came up the long road,
• 19.019 and rain came up to meet them.
• 19.025 when they had dug it up.
• 19.043 and much wealth went up

Straightforward adjective… but no, also an adverb (to stand tall – 07.096). Straightforward meaning about height… but no, a whole family of meanings related to speed and to adeptness. Probably just the height meaning for The Hobbit, though.

• 1.007 He had a tall pointed blue hat,
• 1.063 and made tall piles of all the things.
• 3.008 and tall;
• 3.021 a tall young fellow,
• 4.004 over those great tall mountains
• 5.026 Is taller than trees,
• 5.146 into a narrow valley between tall mountains;
• 6.045 with tall fronds rising right above the hobbit’s head;
• 6.052 Fili and Kili were at the top of a tall larch
• 6.052 Dwalin and Balin had swarmed up a tall slender fir
• 6.052 Gandalf, who was a good deal taller than the others,
• 6.064 stuck up in a tall tree
• 7.014 and the tall elms.
• 7.029 After a while they came to a belt of tall
• 7.036 and towering tall above Gandalf.
• 7.094 and on the table were two tall red beeswax candles.
• 7.096 with the pillars of the house standing tall behind them,
• 7.146 and wishing he was beside the wizard on his tall horse.
• 8.040 is to choose the tallest tree
• 8.044 though it was tall
• 8.102 between two tall trees
• 8.131 that grew tall
• 10.028 surrounded by the tall piles
• 11.001 and tall before them.
• 11.006 tall and steep above the stream;
• 13.048 In front there rose a tall arch,
• 14.028 a tall figure stepped from the shadows.
• 15.036 Under the Mountain dark and tall
• 15.042 and tall.
• 15.046 A tall man stood forward,

A very common word, straightforward. Notice, of course, the negative way that it is used in Chapter Five, except in the riddles. And I am delighted by the first use of see in the entire book, in direct address to the audience.

• 1.003 you will see whether he gained anything
• 1.007 All that the unsuspecting Bilbo saw that morning
• 1.012 I can’t think what anybody sees
• 1.015 Let me see,
• 1.026 when he saw that it was not Gandalf at all.
• 1.032 I see they have begun to arrive already,’
• 1.042 I see,’ said Kili.
• 1.045 we saw them coming along
• 1.068 in the middle of the kitchen trying to see what they were doing.
• 1.083 and see the great mountains,
• 1.092 the poor little hobbit could be seen kneeling on the hearth-rug,
• 1.094 If you have ever seen a dragon
• 1.097 As soon as I saw your funny faces on the door-step,
• 1.103 I don’t see that this will help us much,’
• 1.105 You see that rune on the West side,
• 1.111 we don’t know without going to see.
• 1.123 we saw the dragon settle
• 1.125 I see now they must have had a private Side-door
• 1.128 and has never been seen by you since-‘
• 1.140 if you see what I mean.
• 2.001 There he saw nobody,
• 2.036 they could now see a light shining,
• 2.037 and see,
• 2.039 but there was no proper path to be seen,
• 2.042 And this is what he saw.
• 2.043 could see that:
• 2.048 He had read of a good many things he had never seen or done.
• 2.063 if you see what I mean.
• 2.072 No sooner did Tom see Balin come into the light
• 2.077 and didn’t need to see his friends’ legs
• 2.081 But no one saw him.
• 2.126 Looking behind I saw a fire
• 3.001 they saw that the great mountains had marched
• 3.002 He had never seen a thing
• 3.008 for they saw now that the house might be hidden
• 3.008 and they looked down surprised to see trees below them
• 3.011 They saw a valley far below.
• 3.025 although he had never seen them before.
• 3.033 as you will see,
• 3.042 but you cannot see them,” said Elrond,
• 3.042 They can only be seen when the moon shines behind them,
• 3.048 “That remains to be seen,” said Gandalf.
• 3.049 “None to be seen by this moon,” said Elrond,
• 3.049 to see the elves dance
• 4.005 Bilbo had never seen or imagined
• 4.005 he saw that across the valley the stone-giants were out,
• 4.008 (when everybody could see that it was absolutely no use sending Bilbo)
• 4.015 in time to see the last of the ponies’ tails
• 4.017 in the heart of the mountains can see through.
• 4.024 I am afraid that was the last they ever saw
• 4.034 and never let them see the light again!”
• 4.036 for even their eyes to see through.
• 4.037 Bilbo saw it go right through the Great Goblin
• 4.042 “Let me see:
• 4.044 The blink of red torches could be seen
• 4.050 Nor did they see them.
• 4.050 But they were seen by the goblins that ran silently up behind,
• 5.001 see nothing,
• 5.011 and bigger from trying to see
• 5.013 Bilbo could not see him,
• 5.013 for he could see that he was no goblin at all.
• 5.016 and he suddenly saw the pale eyes sticking out at him.
• 5.026 What has roots as nobody sees,
• 5.035 Saw an eye in a green face.
• 5.038 It cannot be seen, cannot be felt,
• 5.056 Bilbo could see his eyes coming towards him.
• 5.065 Bilbo seeing what had happened
• 5.078 He could see the sword
• 5.086 only in the full sunlight could you be seen,
• 5.087 No one would see him,
• 5.088 It won’t see us,
• 5.088 No. It won’t see us,
• 5.101 to his alarm Bilbo now saw two small points of light peering at him.
• 5.104 but he saw that all was up,
• 5.106 and saw Gollum’s eyes like small green lamps
• 5.108 Gollum could see
• 5.108 Bilbo could see the light of his eyes palely shining
• 5.110 as Bilbo could see from the faint glimmer on the walls.
• 5.117 and then no one will see him.
• 5.117 He’ll be there but not seen.
• 5.118 and see.
• 5.125 and see.’
• 5.127 He could not see the hobbit,
• 5.127 Bilbo could see or feel that he was tense as a bowstring,
• 5.130 He did not turn to see what Gollum was doing.
• 5.134 he saw, filtering round another corner –
• 5.136 and then suddenly he saw the goblins:
• 5.137 They saw him sooner than he saw them.
• 5.137 They saw him sooner than he saw them.
• 5.137 Yes they saw him.
• 5.138 They could not see a sign of him.
• 5.146 He could see outside into the open air:
• 6.001 and could see before him only ridges
• 6.005 and suddenly he saw peering between two big boulders
• 6.005 and he saw that Balin was looking
• 6.012 and we saw the goblins running back yelping.
• 6.027 I must see if I can’t find
• 6.045 they could still see the evening lights on the plains beyond.
• 6.046 when it was so dark that he could only just see
• 6.048 although there was nothing wrong to see.
• 6.050 and do not need to see you to catch you!
• 6.052 if you had seen the dwarves sitting up
• 6.052 but you could see his eyes gleaming
• 6.065 The rage of the wolves was terrible to see,
• 6.067 and can see small things
• 6.067 and could see a rabbit moving on the ground
• 6.067 So though he could not see the people
• 6.067 and see the tiny flashes of fire,
• 6.067 Also he could see the glint of the moon
• 6.072 and through the reek he could see the goblins
• 6.086 and saw the dark lands opening wide underneath him,
• 6.094 So you see ‘prisoners’ had meant
• 6.099 Later on you might have seen a bright fire
• 7.002 and saw that the birds were already high up
• 7.005 the eagles must have seen the point they were making for,
• 7.009 Bilbo never saw them again –
• 7.011 I always meant to see you all safe
• 7.013 We shall see,
• 7.013 we shall see!’
• 7.023 I once saw him sitting all alone
• 7.025 Bilbo had never seen anything like them.
• 7.029 through which you could neither see nor scramble.
• 7.030 you will see the way I go –
• 7.031 beyond which they could see gardens
• 7.040 I used to see him now
• 7.046 as he had never seen half of them before.
• 7.048 I can only see one,
• 7.052 I see!’ said Beorn.
• 7.061 You see,
• 7.081 Well, of course you haven’t seen
• 7.082 You see,
• 7.084 to see that his tale was making a good impression,
• 7.088 Mr. Baggins saw then how clever Gandalf had been.
• 7.093 and the hall had not seen such a gathering for many a year.
• 7.113 But he saw no sign of the wizard all that day until the evening.
• 7.113 Of Beorn they had seen
• 7.117 I soon saw that Beorn could not have made them all:
• 7.121 Not eaten up by Wargs or goblins or wicked bears yet I see’ ;
• 7.123 to see that you were safe,
• 7.125 Come and see!’ said Beorn,
• 7.133 and all the while they saw nothing save grass
• 7.133 Sometimes Bilbo saw the horns of the harts
• 7.133 As the light faded Bilbo thought he saw
• 7.134 As soon as it was light they could see the forest coming as it were to meet them,
• 7.134 not even rabbits were to be seen.
• 7.136 if you have not seen each night after dark a great bear going along with us
• 7.147 will ever see you again.’
• 7.151 and see the Long Marshes lying below you,
• 8.002 they could see a little way to either side
• 8.003 As Bilbo’s sharp inquisitive eyes got used to seeing things
• 8.003 but what made the noises he could not see.
• 8.003 The nastiest things they saw were the cobwebs:
• 8.005 so black that you really could see nothing.
• 8.005 but he could not see it at all.
• 8.005 Well, perhaps it is not true to say that they could see nothing:
• 8.005 they could see eyes.
• 8.005 and when it was Bilbo’s turn he would see gleams
• 8.008 and in all the time they had seen neither spring nor stream.
• 8.012 but my eyes don’t see as well as they used a hundred years ago.
• 8.016 and see if you can see the boat
• 8.016 and see if you can see the boat
• 8.028 they saw that it must have stuck
• 8.031 They could still see his hood
• 8.032 though they saw no sign of it.
• 8.035 and in the forest they could see no change.
• 8.036 Nothing wholesome could they see growing
• 8.037 and in places they could see
• 8.040 and see if he can get his head above the roof
• 8.042 he saw all round him a sea of dark green,
• 8.042 without any markings to be seen.
• 8.043 he could see no end to the trees
• 8.044 and if Bilbo had had the sense to see it,
• 8.044 and he could not expect to see how far the forest lasted.
• 8.044 Still he did not see this,
• 8.044 and he could not see anything
• 8.053 I thought I saw a twinkle of light
• 8.054 they saw a red twinkle
• 8.071 The feast that they now saw was greater
• 8.073 while people he could not see or feel
• 8.075 He could only see the thing’s eyes,
• 8.080 as you will see.
• 8.080 That is why the spiders neither saw nor heard him coming.
• 8.081 he saw that it was made by spider-webs
• 8.081 Suddenly he saw,
• 8.087 I saw one a-struggling just now.
• 8.088 to see a dwarvish foot sticking out
• 8.092 Bilbo saw that the moment had come
• 8.092 but looking about he saw that
• 8.092 got out of his way as quick as lightning if they saw him stoop;
• 8.093 They could not see Bilbo,
• 8.096 Old fat spider can’t see me!
• 8.103 The spiders saw the sword,
• 8.104 to see which was the juiciest to eat.
• 8.107 (long noses are sometimes useful you see)
• 8.110 Now we see you,
• 8.113 For he saw spiders swarming up all the neighbouring trees,
• 8.117 where we last saw the elf-fires.’
• 8.124 Whether it was one of those they had seen the night before,
• 8.125 From which you can see that they had changed their opinion of Mr. Baggins very much,
• 8.125 for they saw that he had some wits,
• 9.003 for even Bilbo with the use of his eyes could not see where they were going,
• 9.016 you see.
• 9.024 and see if it is fit for the king’s table.
• 9.025 for he saw that luck was with him
• 9.032 Bilbo saw that the time had come
• 9.035 and the butler could be seen
• 9.040 I haven’t seen him at the tables tonight.
• 9.051 Most likely you saw it some time ago
• 9.056 Then he saw that it would have been no good
• 9.061 He could see the paler sky between them.
• 9.062 that he could see near the water’s edge.
• 9.069 but whether alive or dead still remains to be seen.
• 10.001 Then Bilbo saw a sight:
• 10.002 and the tumbled land that joined it to them could not be seen.
• 10.002 and through many adventures to see it,
• 10.003 ever to have seen it at all,
• 10.004 So you see Bilbo had come
• 10.006 could not be seen at all.
• 10.007 The rotting piles of a greater town could still be seen
• 10.010 if they could have seen what happened down by the shore,
• 10.012 Thorin of course saw the sense of this,
• 10.018 that they had seen him flying
• 10.020 I wish to see the Master of your town!’
• 10.036 As for the Master he saw there was nothing else for it
• 10.041 We’ll see!
• 10.041 as we shall see
• 10.044 and see how he welcomes them!’
• 11.001 and now they could all see the Lonely Mountain
• 11.006 they could see
• 11.008 and see the dark cavernous opening
• 11.014 Looking down they saw that they were at the top of the cliff
• 11.014 could not be seen from below
• 11.014 but without a joint or crevice to be seen.
• 11.018 “as you will see.
[11.019]”
• 11.019 they saw clearly,
• 11.027 I don’t think I could bear to see the unhappy valley of Dale again,
• 11.029 he could see a glimpse of the distant forest.
• 11.029 Soon he saw the orange ball of the sun
• 11.038 in which nothing could be seen
• 12.008 and stopped where he could still see
• 12.010 Is that a kind of a glow I seem to see coming
• 12.012 before he ever saw the vast danger that lay
• 12.014 so that the hobbit could see his underparts
• 12.014 could dimly be seen coats of mail, helms and axes, swords and spears hanging;
• 12.018 Balin was overjoyed to see the hobbit again,
• 12.021 the sort of rage that is only seen when rich folk
• 12.030 Nothing can escape Smaug once he sees it.
• 12.040 and see what he is up to.
• 12.042 There was only the very faintest glow to be seen.
• 12.043 He can’t see me
• 12.046 and see if you were truly as great as tales say.
• 12.078 After he had seen that
• 12.091 and I don’t see the point of sitting here.
• 12.102 and see nothing,
• 12.103 They shall see me
• 13.018 They saw the little dark shape of the hobbit
• 13.018 Then they saw him halt
• 13.022 But soon they saw it far away
• 13.031 as soon as he saw the twinkle of their lights.
• 13.044 A white glimmer could be seen
• 13.050 And I never expected to be so pleased to see the sun again,
• 13.062 but I see no sign of food.
• 13.065 and saw the wintry sun going downwards to the West.
• 13.067 and can see much without being seen.’
• 13.067 and can see much without being seen.’
• 13.068 if we have been seen coming here,’
• 13.068 as if he expected to see Smaug perched there
• 14.002 Only its high peak could they see
• 14.004 Last night the watchmen saw them start
• 14.011 they could see him as a spark of fire
• 14.025 Then the many boats could be seen
• 14.034 As you see,
• 14.043 There for ages his huge bones could be seen
• 15.001 they had not heard or seen any sign of danger.
• 15.012 and see what happens!’
• 15.017 saw him die,
• 15.017 He saw him fall
• 15.020 We would see peace once more
• 15.026 you will see that the dwarves still had some days before them.
• 15.028 through which they could see
• 15.031 when they saw a company approaching.
• 15.031 Before long they could see that both men of the lake armed
• 15.031 and very great was their surprise to see the pool before them
• 15.044 was seen crossing the river,
• 16.022 and it is Bard I particularly want to see.’
• 16.029 I see your point of view.
• 16.031 I see I have some information you have not got.
• 16.035 You may see it!’
• 16.040 But I wonder if Thorin Oakenshield will see it so.
• 17.001 Soon a single runner was seen
• 17.003 were seen to be borne forth again.
• 17.003 the dwarves saw
• 17.029 and see if you have brought from the hoard the portion
• 17.032 Before long the dwarves could be seen
• 17.040 another blackness could be seen whirling forward;
• 17.040 so dense that no light could be seen between their wings.
• 17.048 Soon they could see the lands
• 17.062 Seeing the sudden gleam
• 17.062 he had seen a sight that made his heart leap,
• 17.065 If the elves could not see him they could hear him.
• 17.065 though as yet nothing could be seen
• 18.003 Looking into the valley he could see no living goblins.
• 18.003 he thought he could see elves moving
• 18.014 When Gandalf saw Bilbo,
• 18.014 I began to wonder if even your luck would see you through!
• 18.028 I should have liked to see them again,’
• 18.028 perhaps I shall see them on the way home.
• 18.053 and looking backward they saw a white sun
• 19.028 he could see his own Hill
• 19.032 Eyes that fire and sword have seen
• 19.036 to see if their own furniture would fit.

For a common word, its lack of use in the text is a bit haunting! Nobody was formed in English around 1400 (at least it is attested in print that way). I was haunted by the use in chapter 6: the words spoken alous can be read humorously, little butterball Bilbo feeling quite sorry for himself, but the “nobody heard” makes me take a second look. Just how deep into the Otherworld is Bilbo? and what does it mean to him? and how much deeper is he going to go?

‘Very well,’ said Gandalf. ‘Take us where and as far as you will! We are already deeply obliged to you. But in the meantime we are famished with hunger.’

“I am nearly dead of it,’ said Bilbo in a weak little voice that nobody heard.

Hobbit 06.096 – 06.097

• 2.001 There he saw nobody,
• 5.026 What has roots as nobody sees,
• 6.097 in a weak little voice that nobody heard.
• 12.102 when he could find nobody