The falls of the river Celebros, translated “Rainy Stair” (S/220). If this translation is literal, the second element rost almost certainly means “rainy”, given the existence of similar words like ross “spray”. This would leave the meaning “stair” to the initial element dim.
Sindarin
dim
noun. stair
dimrost
place name. Rainy Stair
dimbar
place name. *Sad Home
An empty land south of Gondolin (S/121), apparently meaning “✱Sad Home”, a combination of dem “sad(ness)” (stem form dimb-) and bâr “home” (SA/bar).
Conceptual Development: The name Dimbar first appeared Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (LR/261), and was given in The Etymologies as an Ilkorin name with the derivation described above (Ety/DEM), though the exact language of word dem is unclear; see that entry for further discussion.
Tolkien continued to used Dimbar in his Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s (WJ/57), so he may have intended this Ilkorin name to become Sindarin, though it is also possible he would have eventually would have revised the name to something else.
Dimbar
noun. sad land
dimb (Ilk. “sad, gloomy” [Etym. DEM-]) + (m-)bar (“land, dwelling”)
dim
sadness
dim (i dhim) (gloom), no distinct pl. form except with article (i nim) if there are any pl. forms. Note: a homophone means ”stair”.
dim
stair
dim (i dhim), no distinct pl. form except with article (i nim), coll. pl. dimmath. Note: a homophone means ”gloom, sadness”.
dim
stair
(i dhim), no distinct pl. form except with article (i nim), coll. pl. dimmath. Note: a homophone means ”gloom, sadness”.
dim
noun. gloom, sadness
dim
gloom
(i dhim) (sadness), no distinct pl. form except with article (i nim). Note: a homophone means ”stair”.
dim
sadness
(i dhim) (gloom), no distinct pl. form except with article (i nim) if there are any pl. forms. Note: a homophone means ”stair”.
fain
dim
adj. dim, dimmed (applied to dimmed or fading lights or to things seen in them); filmy, fine-woven, etc. (applied to things that only partially screened light, such as a canopy of young still half-transparent leaves, or textures that veiled but only half-concealed a form).
nanduhirion
place name. Dimrill Dale, (lit.) Vale of (the Region of) Dim Streams
A valley in the Misty Mountains translated “Dimrill Dale” (LotR/283) or more literally “Vale of (the Region of) Dim Streams” (RC/269, PE17/37). It is itself a translation of Kh. Azanulbizar of similar meaning (LotR/283, TI/166, PE17/35). This name is a combination of nan(d) “valley”, dû “night, dimness”, the lenited form hir of sîr “river, stream”, and the suffix -ion “-region, -land” (PE17/37).
Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, this valley was first named N. Tum Dincelon “Dimrill Dale” (RS/434), later revised to N. Nanduhiriath (TI/174) and finally N. Nanduhirion (TI/166).
gwath
noun. shadow, dim light, shadow, dim light, [N.] shade
A word for “shadow” but more accurately an area of “dim light”, since it was “not for the shadows of actual objects or persons cast by sun or moon or other lights” (VT42/9) but was used “in the sense of dim light, owing to cloud or mist, or in deep valleys” (UT/261). A cast shadow would be morchant “(lit.) dark shape” (VT42/9). Gwath was derived from the root √WATH.
Conceptual Development: N. gwath “shade” appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s, already with the derivation given above (Ety/WATH).
gwathren
adjective. shadowy, dim
A word meaning “shadowy, dim” appearing in The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor of the late 1960s, the adjectival form of gwath “shadow” (VT42/9).
gwathra-
verb. to overshadow, dim, veil, obscure
A verb meaning “overshadow, dim, veil, obscure” appearing in The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor of the late 1960s, from the root √WATH (VT42/9).
auth
noun. dim shape, spectral or vague apparition
dû
noun. night, dimness; dim, dark, night, dimness; [N.] night-fall, late evening; [S.] dim, dark
fain
noun/adjective. white, shimmering, shining; white and shining [thing]; dim, dimmed; filmy, fine-woven; (vague) apparition; cloud, white, shimmering, shining, [N.] radiant; [S.] white and shining [thing]; dim, dimmed; filmy, fine-woven; (vague) apparition; cloud
gwathra-
verb. to overshadow, dim, veil, obscure
gwathren
adjective. shadowy, dim
dû
dimness
_ n. _dimness. >> Nanduhirion
-eg
suffix. diminutive/singular ending
@@@ variants may be the result of ancient -aikĭ > -aeg > -eg vs. -eikĭ > -īg > -ig as suggested by Lokyt, but also compare T. nettica vs S. netheg
-ig
suffix. diminutive/singular ending
dû
noun. nightfall, late evening, night, dimness
gwathra
dim
(verb) gwathra- (i **wathra, in gwathrar**) (overshadow, veil, obscure)
gwathra
dim
(i ’wathra, in gwathrar) (overshadow, veil, obscure)
gwathren
dim
(adj.) gwathren (shadowy), lenited wathren; pl. gwethrin. (A lenited pl. is attested in the name Ered Wethrin, Shadowy Mountains.);
gwathren
dim
(shadowy), lenited ’wathren; pl. gwethrin. (A lenited pl. is attested in the name Ered Wethrin, Shadowy Mountains.);
auth
dim shape
auth (spectral or vague apparition), pl. oeth, coll. pl. othath. Note: a homophone means "war, battle".
auth
dim shape
auth (spectral or vague apparition), pl. oeth, coll. pl. othath. Note: a homophone means "war, battle". DARK SHAPE, see .
auth
dim shape
(spectral or vague apparition), pl. oeth, coll. pl. othath. Note: a homophone means "war, battle".
gwâth
dim light
(i ’wâth; construct gwath) (shadow, shade), pl. gwaith (in gwaith) (UT:261);
gwâth
dim light
gwâth (i **wâth; construct gwath) (shadow, shade), pl. gwaith (in gwaith**) (UT:261);
gwâth
dim light
gwâth (i **wâth; construct gwath) (shadow, shade), pl. gwaith (in gwaith**) (UT:261).
daw
gloom
1) daw (i dhaw) (nighttime), pl. doe (i noe), coll. pl. ?dawath or ?doath; 2) dim (i dhim) (sadness), no distinct pl. form except with article (i nim). Note: a homophone means ”stair”. 3) fuin (darkness, night, dead of night, nightshade). No distinct pl. form. 4) maur (i vaur), pl. moer (i moer) (VT45:35)
donn
shadowy
1) donn (black, swart, swarty, shady) (lenited dhonn, pl. dynn). (VT45:11). Also dunn- in compounds. 2) gwathren (dim), lenited wathren; pl. gwethrin. (A lenited pl. is attested in the name Ered Wethrin, Shadowy Mountains.) 3) gwathui (lenited wathui; no distinct pl. form)
gwathra
overshadow
gwathra- (i **wathra, in gwathrar**) (dim, veil, obscure)
gwathra
overshadow
(i ’wathra, in gwathrar) (dim, veil, obscure)
gwathren
shadowy
(dim), lenited ’wathren; pl. gwethrin. (A lenited pl. is attested in the name Ered Wethrin, Shadowy Mountains.)
gwâth
shadow
(i ’wâth; construct gwath) (shade, dim light), pl. gwaith (in gwaith) (UT:261)
morchant
shadow
1) morchant (i vorchant), pl. morchaint (i morchaint). The literal meaning is ”dark shape”, referring to shadows with a recognizable form. 2) dae (i dhae) (shade), no distinct pl. form except with article (i nae). 3) daew (i dhaew), no distinct pl. form except with article (i ndaew) (VT45:8). 4) gwâth (i **wâth; construct gwath) (shade, dim light), pl. gwaith (in gwaith) (UT:261) 5) muil (i vuil) (twilight, dreariness, vagueness), no distinct pl. except with article (i muil**),
dem
adjective. sad, gloomy
dae
noun. shadow
dae
noun. shadow, shadow (cast by an object or form), [N.] shade
dúath
adjective. dark
_ adj. _dark, black shadow.
dû
night
_ n. _night (when viewed favourably). Q. lóme.
dûr
adjective. dark, sombre
dûr
dark
_ adj. _dark, gloomy, 'hellish'.
fain
noun/adjective. white
fain
noun/adjective. cloud
fuin
noun. night, dead of night, gloom, darkness
glân
adjective. white, [bright shining] white; [N.] clear; [G.] pure, †bright; [ᴱN.] clean
guruthos
noun. the shadow of death, death-horror
gwathui
adjective. shadowy
morchant
noun. shadow (of objects, cast by light), dark shape
moth
noun. dusk
naer
adjective. sad, lamentable
nim
white
_adj. _white. >> Nimbrethil
nim
white
nim
adjective. white
nimp
adjective. pale
adj. pale, pallid. nimp << nim (PE17:168). >> niphred
nûr
adjective. sad
For an earlier discussion, see Klockzo, 4th volume, p. 160 §147: The meaning of Núrnen long remained highly hypothetical. The current definition is based on Christopher Tolkien's index to UT and on the unfinished index of names published in RC. The Gnomish Lexicon listed nur- (nauri) "growl, grumble", nurn "plaint, lament, a complaint" and nurna- "bewail, lament, complain of" (PE/11:61). Likewise, the Qenyaqetsa included a root NURU- with several derivatives with similar meanings (PE/12:68). See also Q. nurrula "mumbling" (from nurru- "murmur, grumble") in the final version of the poem The Last Ark (MC/222-23). Patrick Wynne therefore noted: S. *nûr in Núrnen "Sad Water" is apparently "sad" in the sense "bewailing, lamenting, complaining, grumbling", no doubt a reference to the general mood of the hapless laborers in "the great slave-worked fields" beside the lake. (See Lambengolmor/856-860)
pîn
adjective. little
Similar words occur in Gnomish (pinig "tiny, little", PE/11:64) and in Qenya (pinea "small" etc., PE/12:73)
pîn
adjective. little
silivren
adjective. (white) glittering
uilos
noun/adjective. always white, ever white as snow
uilos
noun/adjective. a small white everlasting flower also called simbelmynë or "evermind"
dae
shadow
(i dhae) (shade), no distinct pl. form except with article (i nae).
daew
shadow
(i dhaew), no distinct pl. form except with article (i ndaew) (VT45:8).
daw
gloom
(i dhaw) (nighttime), pl. doe (i noe), coll. pl. ?dawath or ?doath
daw
nighttime
(i dhaw) (gloom), pl. doe (i noe), coll. pl. ?dawath or ?doath.
dem
sad
1) dem (gloomy), lenited dhem, pl. dhim; 2) naer (dreadful, lamentable, woeful); no distinct pl. form. 3) nûr (pl. nuir). Note: homophones mean ”deep” and ”race”.
dem
sad
(gloomy), lenited dhem, pl. dhim
doll
dark
doll (dusky, misty, obscure), lenited noll, pl. dyll. Note: In ”Noldorin”, this word appeared as dolt as well as doll, but the latter seems the best form in S.
doll
dark
(dusky, misty, obscure), lenited noll, pl. dyll. Note: In ”Noldorin”, this word appeared as dolt as well as doll, but the latter seems the best form in S.
donn
shadowy
(black, swart, swarty, shady) (lenited dhonn, pl. dynn). (VT45:11). Also dunn- in compounds.
dúath
dark shadow
(i dhúath) (nightshade), pl. dúaith (i núaith). Compare the Ephel Dúath or ”Mountains of Shadow” forming th outer fence of Mordor, perhaps suggesting that Dúath is also the word used of Sauron as ”the Shadow”.
dúath
dark shadow
(i dhúath) (nightshade), pl. dúaith (i núaith);
dúath
nightshade
(i dhúath) (dark shadow), pl. dúaith (i núaith).
dû
night
1) dû (i dhû) (nightfall, dusk, late evening, darkness), pl. dui (i nui) (SD:302), 2) morn (i vorn) (darkness), pl. myrn (i myrn). Note: the word is also used as an adjective ”dark, black” (Letters:386).
dû
dusk
(i dhû) (night, nightfall, late evening, darkness), pl. dui (i nui) (SD:302).
dû
nightfall
dû (i dhû) (night, dusk, late evening, darkness), pl. dui (i nui) (SD:302)
dû
night
(i dhû) (nightfall, dusk, late evening, darkness), pl. dui (i nui) (SD:302)
dûr
dark
dûr (sombre), lenited dhûr, pl. duir
dûr
dark
(sombre), lenited dhûr, pl. duir
elu
pale blue
(analogical pl. ely). Archaic elw (pl. ilw?).
faen
white
(radiant). No distinct pl. form.
fain
white
; no distinct pl. form.
fuin
gloom
(darkness, night, dead of night, nightshade). No distinct pl. form.
fuin
night, nightshade, dead of night
(gloom, darkness). No distinct pl. form.
gael
pale
(glittering), lenited ’ael; no distinct pl. form.
gloss
white as snow, dazzling white
(in compounds -los), lenited ’loss; pl. glyss.
glân
white
1) glân (clear), lenited lân, pl. glain. (UT:390, VT45:13). Note: a homophone means ”hem, border”. 2) nimp (nim-) (pale); no distinct pl. form. 3) faen (radiant). No distinct pl. form. 4) fain; no distinct pl. form.
glân
white
(clear), lenited ’lân, pl. glain. (UT:390, VT45:13). Note: a homophone means ”hem, border”.
graurim
dark people
(VT45:16);
graw
dark
graw (swart), lenited raw, pl. groe. (VT45:16)
graw
dark
(swart), lenited ’raw, pl. groe. (VT45:16)
guldur
dark sorcery
(i nguldur = i ñuldur), pl. gyldyr (in gyldyr = i ñgyldyr)
gwanwas
noun. the past, past days, olden times
gwathui
shadowy
(lenited ’wathui; no distinct pl. form)
gwathuirim
shadowy people
(PM:330)
gwind
pale blue
(lenited ’wind; no distinct pl. form).
maidh
pale
1) maidh (lenited vaidh; no distinct pl. form) (fallow, fawn), 2) nimp (nim-) (white); no distinct pl. form, 3) thind (grey); no distinct pl. form; 4) gael (glittering), lenited ael; no distinct pl. form. 5) *malu (lenited valu; analogical pl. mely; lenited valu) (fallow). Cited in archaic form malw (LR:386 s.v. SMAL).
maidh
pale
(lenited vaidh; no distinct pl. form) (fallow, fawn)
malu
pale
(lenited valu; analogical pl. mely; lenited valu) (fallow). Cited in archaic form malw (LR:386 s.v. SMAL).
maur
gloom
(i vaur), pl. moer (i moer) (VT45:35)
mith
pale grey
(lenited vith; no distinct pl. form). David Salo would read mîth with a long vowel. Note: a homophone means ”white fog, wet mist”.
morchant
shadow
(i vorchant), pl. morchaint (i morchaint). The literal meaning is ”dark shape”, referring to shadows with a recognizable form.
morn
dark
morn (black), pl. myrn, lenited vorn. Note: the latter word is also used as a noun ”darkness, night”. (Letters:386)
morn
dark
(black), pl. myrn, lenited vorn. Note: the latter word is also used as a noun ”darkness, night”. (Letters:386)
morn
night
(i vorn) (darkness), pl. myrn (i myrn). Note: the word is also used as an adjective ”dark, black” (Letters:386).
moth
dusk
1) moth (i voth), pl. myth (i myth). David Salo would read *môth with a long vowel. 2) dû (i dhû) (night, nightfall, late evening, darkness), pl. dui (i nui) (SD:302).
moth
dusk
(i voth), pl. myth (i myth). David Salo would read ✱môth with a long vowel.
muil
shadow
(i vuil) (twilight, dreariness, vagueness), no distinct pl. except with article (i muil)
môr
dark
môr (black), lenited vôr, pl. mŷr (Letters:382), also
môr
dark
(black), lenited vôr, pl. m**ŷr* (Letters:382)*, also
naer
sad
(dreadful, lamentable, woeful); no distinct pl. form.
nimp
white
(nim-) (pale); no distinct pl. form.
nimp
pale
(nim-) (white); no distinct pl. form
nûr
sad
(pl. nuir). Note: homophones mean ”deep” and ”race”.
silivren
glittering white
(lenited hilivren; pl. *silivrin**). *Verb
thind
pale
(grey); no distinct pl. form
tinnu
dusk
tinnu (i dinnu, o thinnu) (twilight, starlit evening, early night without a moon, starry twilight), pl. tinny (i thynny) if there is a pl.
tinnu
dusk
(i dinnu, o thinnu) (twilight, starlit evening, early night without a moon, starry twilight), pl. tinny (i thynny) if there is a pl.
tinnu
early night without a moon
(i dinnu, o thinnu) (dusk, twilight), pl. tinny (i thynny) if there is a pl.
tithen
little
1) tithen (lenited dithen, pl. tithin) (tiny), 2) pîn (lenited bîn; no distinct pl. form) (RC:536).
Apparently a word for “stair”, attested only as an element in the name Dimrost “Rainy Stair” (S/220).