Primitive elvish

(ñ)gwal

root. suffer torment, (suffer) torment, agony

This root first appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s as strengthened ᴹ√ÑGWAL “torment” with derivatives like ᴹQ. nwalka/N. balch “cruel” and N. baul “torment” (Ety/ÑGWAL). The root was given in an unstrengthened form √GWAL “suffer torment” in both the first and second versions of the Tengwesta Qenderinwa in a set of root variations along with √KWAL “die” and √KWEL “fade away” (TQ1: PE18/58; TQ2: PE18/103). Tolkien’s use of Q. nwalmë “torment” in Appendix E of The Lord of the Rings indicates the strengthened form remained valid, however (LotR/1123).

Neo-Eldarin: For purposes of Neo-Eldarin, I prefer to use this root only its strengthened form, reserving √GWAL for the less dire sense “be stirred, excited; emotion, movement of feelings” (PE17/154, 189).

Derivatives

  • ᴺQ. nwal- “to suffer, feel (great) pain”
  • Q. nwalmë “torment”

Variations

  • GWAL ✧ PE18/103
Primitive elvish [PE18/103] Group: Eldamo. Published by