kir

root. cut, cleave, pass swiftly through; shave; skim (surface), slip along, glide quickly

Tolkien used √KIR and roots like it for “cut, cleave” for most of his life. The earliest of these are ᴱ√KIŘI [KIÐI] and ᴱ√KISI “cut, split” from the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s, the latter with an extended form ᴱ√KIRISI (QL/47). These forms apparently were all blended together in Qenya, but the most notable Gnomish derivatives from this period seem to all be based on ᴱ√K(I)RISI, such as G. criss “cleft, gash, gully” and G. crist “knife; slash, slice” (GL/27).

In The Etymologies of the 1930s the root became ᴹ√KIR “cleave” with extended forms ᴹ√KIRIK (unglossed but probably meaning “✱reap”) and ᴹ√KIRIS “cut”, the latter by way of combination with ᴹ√RIS “slash, rip” (Ety/KIR, KIRIK, KIRIS, RIS). One of the notable derivatives of this root was ᴹQ. kirya “ship” (Ety/KIR), a word that appeared as far back as the Early Qenya Grammar of the 1920s (PE14/46). Noldorin and Sindarin cognates of this word also appeared, varying from N. ceir “ship” to S. cair due to shifts in Tolkien’s conception of the phonetic development of diphthongs in the Sindarin branch of Elvish.

√KIR “cut” appeared regularly in Tolkien’s later writings (PE17/73, 87; VT42/13; WJ/392), and the validity of the extended forms √KIRIK and √KIRIS is indicated by Tolkien’s continued use of words like Q. Valacirca “Sickle of the Valar” (S/48) and S. Orcrist “Orc-cleaver” (LotR/280). One later derivative of interest was S. certh “rune” (LotR/1123), which in the Quendi and Eldar essay of 1959-60 Tolkien said was derived from √KIR, the vowel change being the result of a-affection, and the Quenya form Q. certa being a loan from Sindarin (WJ/396). Rather cryptically in this essay Tolkien gave the primitive form as ✶kirtē “cutting”, so perhaps the Sindarin word was derivative from an adjectival variant.

Tolkien revisited the question of the origin of S. certh in notes from 1969:

> certar, LR III 395, could be emended in text to cirtar, and Certhas be held a late formation as it was. ... Phonology cannot be altered, since we have elenī > elin not ilin.

KIR. rather a mess here. LR has certar = cirth, and we have Angerthas, therefore √KER is indicated, & comparison with kirya is not in point of fact likely! Easy to say √KER = cut with tool/weapon, but √KIR = ? shave; skim (surface), slip along, glide quickly, and kirya is really an adj. = swift gliding. But what of Cirith. {Here we could say -itt.} e > i only before vanishing ī/j (PE22/150 and note #37).

Here Tolkien seems to be troubled again by the fact that Q. certa and S. certh are not direct cognates, and considered reorganizing the roots as √KER “cut” and √KIR “glide” (to allow the continued use of cirya “ship”), but then immediately recognized a problem with S. cirith “cleft, ravine” as in Cirith Ungol. Thus he seems to have abandoned this line of reasoning, leaving the 1959-60 notion that Q. certa is a loan from Sindarin as the most likely explanation. It is rather shocking to see how far he thought about going to “resolve” this problem, even considering a change in the basic rules of Sindarin phonology to allow i-affection of e > i in syllables other than those immediately before final i, which would have made keritt(e) > cirith possible.

kirtē

noun. rune

kiryā

noun/adjective. (small swift sailing) ship; swift (especially of things that pass easily through obstacles)

kiris

root. cleave, cleave, [ᴹ√] cut, [ᴱ√] split

kirissi

noun. cleft

kiryaktō

noun. shipwright

kiryā kyulmā

a ship’s mast

kiril

place name. Kiril

kirith gorgor

place name. Dreadful Pass

kirith naglath

place name. Cleft of the Teeth

kirith ungol

place name. Spider Glen

cerch

noun. sickle

A noun for “sickle” in The Etymologies of the 1930s under the root ᴹ√KIRIK (Ety/KIRIK).

ceir

noun. ship

cristhorn

place name. Eagle’s Cleft

cirith

noun. cleft, pass

cirith helvin

place name. Rainbow Cleft

Precursor to S. Cirith Ninniach from the Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (SM/146). Its first element is cirith “cleft” and presumably its second element means “rainbow”, though it appears nowhere else.

cris-ilfing

place name. Rainbow Cleft

Precursor to S. Cirith Ninniach from the Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (SM/141). Its first element is criss “cleft” and presumably its second element means “rainbow”, though it appears nowhere else.

cirdan

masculine name. Shipbuilder

ciriaeth

noun. shipwright

cirdan

noun. shipbuilder

ceir

noun. ship

ceirdan

noun. shipbuilder, shipwright

cerch

noun. sickle

cirdan

noun. shipbuilder, shipwright

ciriaeth

noun. shipwright

shipwright

criss

noun. cleft, cut, slash

cîl

noun. cleft, pass between hills, gorge

cîr

noun. ship

lhunt

noun. boat

lhunt

noun. boat

osgar-

verb. to cut round, to amputate

rhest

noun. cut

rhest

noun. cut

rhista-

verb. to cut

rhista-

verb. to rend, rip

rhista-

verb. to cut

thanc

adjective. cleft, split, forked

Kirinki

Kirinki

The meaning of kirinki is unknown. Perhaps it is a Quenya word, seemingly incorporating the diminutive ending -incë.

cirincë

noun. scarlet-plumed species of bird

A species of Númenorean bird that Tolkien described as “no bigger than wrens, but all scarlet, with piping voices on the edge of human hearing”, appearing only in its plural form kirinki (UT/169; NM/337). It is not clear what, if any, terrestrial species it equated to. It might be a diminutive form based on √KIR “cut”, so perhaps literally “✱little cutter”.

cirya

ship

cirya _("k")_noun "ship" (MC:213, 214, 220, 221), "(sharp-prowed) ship" (SA:kir-, where the word is misspelt círya with a long í; Christopher Tolkien probably confused it with the first element of the Sindarin name Círdan. It seems that Círyon, the name of Isildur's son, is likewise misspelt; read Ciryon as in the index and the main text of the Silmarillion. Cf. also kirya_ in Etym, stem KIR.) _Also in Markirya. In the Plotz letter, cirya is inflected for all cases except plural possessive (*ciryaiva). The curious dual form ciriat occurs in Letters:427, whereas Plotz gives the expected form ciryat. Locative ciryasse "upon a ship" (MC:216). Compounded in ciryaquen "shipman, sailor" (WJ:372), also ciryando (PE17:58), cf. also ciryamo "mariner" (UT:8). Masc. names Ciryaher* "Ship-lord" (Appendix A), Ciryandil "Ship-friend" (Appendix A), Ciryatan "Ship-builder" (Appendix A), also Tar-Ciryatan**, name of a Númenórean king, "King Shipbuilder" (SA:kir-)

cir-

verb. to cut, to cut, [ᴱQ.] cleave; *to sail

@@@ Helge Fauskanger suggested that it means “sail” in Markirya: (QQ/círa).

ciryaher

masculine name. *Ship Lord

The given name of the 15th king of Gondor, later called Hyarmendacil (LotR/1045). This name is probably a compound of cirya “ship” and heru “lord”.

Conceptual Development: In drafts of the Lord of the Rings appendices, his name was first given as Kiryahir, perhaps a combination with S. hîr “lord”.

circa

noun. sickle

A word for “sickle” in the name Q. Valacirca “Sickle of the Valar”, which is the Quenya name for the constellation of the Great Bear (S/48; MR/166). In The Etymologies of the 1930s, ᴹQ. kirka “sickle” was derived from the root ᴹ√KIRIK (Ety/KIRIK).

Conceptual Development: In the Qenya Lexicon and Poetic and Mythological Words of Eldarissa of the 1910s Tolkien had ᴱQ. kalka “sickle” derived from the early root ᴱ√KḶKḶ “gather, collect, reap” (QL/47; PME/47). This corresponds to the earliest Qenya name of the constellation of the Great Bear: ᴱQ. Telpea Kalka “✱Silvern Sickle” (QL/47; PME/47).

certa

rune

certa noun "rune" (pl. certar given), adapted from Sindarin certh (a "true" or inherited Quenya form of primitive ¤kirtē would have been *cirtë, but this word did not occur). (WJ:396)

circa

sickle

circa ("k")noun "sickle" (KIRIK)

cirissë

slash, gash

cirissë ("k")noun "slash, gash" (KIRIS; the glosses "cleft" and maybe ?"crevasse" occurred in deleted material, VT45:23)

círa

sail

círa ("k")vb. "sail" (apparently the continuative stem of #cir-) (Markirya)

cirya

noun. (sharp-prowed) ship; swift gliding, (sharp-prowed) ship, [ᴹQ.] boat; [Q.] swift gliding

certa

noun. rune

cirma

noun. knife

cirya

noun. cleft, pass

A noun for a “cleft”, most notably in Calacirya “Light-cleft” as mentioned in the Namárië poem (RGEO/62; LotR/377).

Conceptual Development: In Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s, this name was ᴹQ. Kalakilya (LR/173; MR/102), and the word ᴹQ. kilya “cleft, pass between hills, gorge” appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s as a derivative of the root ᴹ√KIL “divide” (Ety/KIL). The word kilya also appeared with the gloss “chasm” in Lament of Atalante from the 1930s and 40s (LR/47, 56; SD/247, 310), but at some point when composing the final versions of the Namárië poem Tolkien switched to Calacirya, and he made the same change in later versions of Silmarillion drafts (MR/102).

Neo-Quenya: I’d avoid this word for Neo-Quenya, as it is too easily confused with cirya “ship”.

ciryandil

masculine name. *Ship Lover

The 14th king of Gondor (LotR/1038). This name is probably a compound of cirya “ship” and the suffix -(n)dil “-friend, -lover”.

ciryatan

masculine name. Shipbuilder, Shipwright

Tar-Ciryatan was the 12th ruler of Númenor (S/265, UT/221), also known as Ad. Ar-Balkumagân (PM/151). His name is a compound of cirya “ship” and the suffixal form -tan “-builder, -wright” of tamo “smith”.

cirmacin

noun. knife-edge

ciryando

noun. sailor

ciryaquen

noun. shipman, sailor

cirya tyulma

a ship-mast, ship’s mast, mast of an unspecified ship or any ship

ciris

cleft, crack

ciris _("k")_noun "cleft, crack" (LT2:337 - obsoleted by cirissë?)

cirmacin

noun. knife-edge

ciryahto

noun. shipwright

shipwright

ciryamo

mariner

ciryamo noun "mariner", nominative and genitive are identical since the noun already ends in -o, cf. Indis i-Ciryamo "the Mariner's Wife" (UT:8)

ciryamo

noun. mariner

ciryando

sailor

ciryando ("k")noun "sailor" (PE17:58).

ciryaquen

shipman, sailor

ciryaquen ("k") "shipman, sailor" (WJ:372)

ciryatan

noun. shipbuilder, shipwright

falqua

cleft, mountain pass, ravine

falqua ("q") noun "cleft, mountain pass, ravine" (LT2:341)

hyar-

cleave

#hyar- vb. "cleave" (1st pers. aorist hyarin "I cleave") (SYAD). Pa.t. probably *hyandë since the R of hyar- was originally D; cf. rer- "sow", pa.t. rendë, from the root RED.

hyar-

verb. cleave

hyatsë

cleft, gash

hyatsë noun "cleft, gash" (SYAD), apparently changed by Tolkien from hyassë (VT46:16)

luntë

boat

luntë noun "boat" (LUT, MC:216), "ship" (LT1:249, LT1:255)

luntë

noun. boat, boat, [ᴱQ.] ship

lútë

sail

lútë noun "sail" (MC:213; this is "Qenya")

rissë

cut

rissë noun? The word is not clearly glossed but apparently means "cut" or "cleft" (ravine), the cognate of the final element of Imladris, Sindarin name of Rivendell. (PE17:87)

rista

cut

rista (2) noun "cut" (RIS), cf. #1 above.

sanca

cleft, split

sanca (þ) ("k") noun? (or adj, or both?) "cleft, split" (STAK)

veluntë

noun. sail

criss

noun. cleft, cleft, [N.] cut, slash, [G.] gash; [N.] pass, [G.] gully, ravine

A word for a “cleft, cut, slash” (PE21/81; Ety/KIRIS) derived from √KIRIS, a blend of the roots √KIR and √RIS (PE17/87).

Conceptual Development: This word dates all the way back to G. criss “cleft, gash, gully” in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s where it was probably already a derivative of the early root ᴱ√KIRISI as suggested by Christopher Tolkien (GL/27; LT2A/Cris Ilbranteloth). In the Name-list to The Fall of Gondolin Tolkien gave cris with the definition “a cleft, ravine, or narrow way of waters with high walls” (PE15/21), and in this period it typically appeared in this shorter form within names like G. Cris Ilbranteloth or G. Cris Thorn.

N. criss appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s glossed “cleft, cut, slash” under the root ᴹ√KIRIS “cut” (Ety/KIRIS). It also appeared under the root ᴹ√KIR with the gloss “cleft, pass”, but this instance was deleted (EtyAC/KIR). S. criss “cleft” was mentioned in passing in Common Eldarin: Noun Structure (EVS2) from the early 1950s as derived from primitive ✶kirissi (PE21/80-81), and it was mentioned as a blending of roots in notes on Words, Phrases and Passages from the Lord of the Rings from the late 1950s or early 1960s as described above (PE17/87). Its use in names diminished over time, however, the only remnant in the final version of The Silmarillion being S. Crissaegrim (S/121).

Neo-Sindarin: In The Etymologies of the 1930s it seems this word was principally used as for a “cleft, cut, slash” independent of geography. I would assume the same is true for purposes of Neo-Sindarin, since criss is used only in a single geographic name in Tolkien’s later writings; S. cirith was use more broadly in geographic features. I would also assume it was a larger and more violent cut (a “gash” or “slash”) compared to S. rest for simple cuts.

cirith thoronath

place name. Eagles’ Cleft

A pass through the mountains surrounding Gondolin, translated “Eagles’ Cleft” (S/243). This name is a combination of cirith “cleft, ravine” and the class plural of thoron “eagle” (SA/kir, thoron).

Conceptual Development: In the earliest Lost Tales, this pass was called G. Cristhorn (LT2/191), a combination of G. cris(s) “cleft” and G. thorn “eagle” (GL/27, 73). In Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s, the name generally appeared as N. Cristhorn (SM/308, LR/142), but in the period Tolkien also considered various alternatives such as N. Cristhoron with N. thoron “eagle” (Ety/KIRIS), Cilthoron(dor) with N. cîl “cleft” (Ety/KIL) and in one place an early appearance of its later name Kirith-thoronath (SM/146).

The name was revised to Cirith Thoronath in the texts used for the published version of The Silmarillion, but the earlier form (Cristhorn) appeared in a late essay on Glorfindel (PM/379), so perhaps Tolkien had ongoing uncertainty about this name.

círdan

masculine name. Shipwright

An Elf-lord who was a famous ship builder, whose name was translated “Shipwright” (LotR/240). His name is simply círdan “shipbuilder” used as a name (Ety/KIR).

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, his name was first given as N. Cirdan with a short i (WR/76). His name appeared in The Etymologies as C(e)irdan (Ety/TAN), where the (e) probably indicates its development from N. ceir “ship” (later S. cair).

cirith ungol

place name. Cleft of the Spider

The pass near Minas Morgul where Shelob laired (LotR/644). In Tolkien’s Nomenclature of the Lord of the Rings, he translated the name as “Cleft of the Spider”, a combination of cirith “cleft” and ungol “spider” (RC/767).

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, this name first appeared as N. Kirith Ungol, translated “Spider Glen” (TI/330, WR/104).

certh

noun. rune

cair

noun. ship

cirith ninniach

place name. Rainbow Cleft

The pass that led Tuor to the sea, translated “Rainbow Cleft” (S/238). This name is a combination of cirith “cleft” and ninniach “rainbow”.

Conceptual Development: In the earliest Lost Tales, this pass was first called G. Cris a Teld Quing Ilon “Gully of the Rainbow Roof” (LT2A/Teld Quing Ilon), revised to G. Cris Ilbranteloth (same translation) in the narratives (LT2/150, 202). In Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s, the name was changed again to N. Cris-Ilfing >> Cirith Helvin “Rainbow Cleft” (SM/141, 146). The name Cirith Ninniach emerged in Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s (WJ/256, 299).

Rest

noun. cut

cair

noun. ship

certh

noun. rune

cirion

noun. shipman, sailor

cirith

noun. cleft, high climbing pass, narrow passage cut through earth or rock, ravine, defile

círdan

noun. shipbuilder, shipwright

círdan

noun. shipbuilder, shipwright

falch

noun. deep cleft, ravine

lunt

noun. boat

riss

adjective. cleft

_ adj. _cleft, cloven, separate. Q. rista, risse, rinse. >> Imladris

rista-

verb. to cut

rista-

verb. to rend, rip

thanc

adjective. cleft, split, forked

Rest

cut

(noun) 1) rest (ravine, cleft), pl. rist (idh rist), 2) criss (i griss, o chriss, construct cris) (cleft, slash), no distinct pl. form except with article (i chriss)

angerthas

long rune-row

(and + certhas).

belon

noun. sail

cair

ship

cair (in compounds cír-) (i gair, o chair), pl. cîr, i chîr; coll. pl. ciriath.

cair

ship

(in compounds cír-) (i gair, o chair), pl. cîr, i chîr; coll. pl. ciriath.

cerch

sickle

cerch (i gerch, o cherch), pl. circh (i chirch)

cerch

sickle

(i gerch, o cherch), pl. circh (i chirch)

certh

rune

certh (i gerth, o cherth), pl. cirth (i chirth). RUNE-ROW (collection of runes) certhas (i gerthas, o cherthas), pl. certhais (i cherthais). LONG RUNE-ROW (a certain system of runes) Angerthas (and + certhas).

certh

rune

(i gerth, o cherth), pl. cirth (i chirth).

certhas

rune-row

(i gerthas, o cherthas), pl. certhais (i cherthais).

cirion

shipman

(i girion) (sailor), pl. ciryn (i chiryn), coll. pl. cirionnath.

cirion

shipman

cirion (i girion) (sailor), pl. ciryn (i chiryn), coll. pl. cirionnath.

cirion

sailor

cirion (i girion) (shipman), pl. ciryn (i chíryn), coll. pl. cirionnath.

cirion

sailor

(i girion) (shipman), pl. ciryn (i chíryn), coll. pl. cirionnath.

cirith

cleft

(i girith, o chirith) (cutting, pass), no distinct pl. form except with article (i chirith)

criss

cleft

(i griss, o chriss, construct cris) (cut, slash), no distinct pl. form except with article (i chriss), 4) iaw (gulf, ravine), pl. ioe. Note: a homophone means ”corn”

criss

slash

criss (i griss, o chriss, construct cris) (cut, cleft), no distinct pl. form except with article (i chriss)

criss

slash

(i griss, o chriss, construct cris) (cut, cleft), no distinct pl. form except with article (i chriss)

criss

cut

(i griss, o chriss, construct cris) (cleft, slash), no distinct pl. form except with article (i chriss)

círdan

shipbuilder, shipwright

(i gírdan, o chírdan) (shipwright), pl. círdain (i chírdain).

círdan

shipbuilder

círdan (i gírdan, o chírdan) (shipwright), pl. círdain (i chírdain)

círdan

shipwright

círdan (i gírdan, o chírdan) (shipbuilder), pl. círdain (i chírdain). Compare Círdan as a proper name.

círdan

shipbuilder, shipwright

círdan (i gírdan, o chírdan) (shipwright), pl. círdain (i chírdain).

cîl

cleft

(i gîl, o chîl) (pass between hills, gorge), no distinct pl. form except with article (i chîl), coll. pl. cíliath. A homophone means ”renewal”.

falch

cleft

(ravine[?]), pl. felch

lunt

boat

lunt (pl. lynt, coll. pl. lunnath)

lunt

noun. boat

lunt

boat

(pl. lynt, coll. pl. lunnath)

renia

sail

(verb) renia- (fly, wander, stray) (i renia, idh reniar)

renia

sail

(fly, wander, stray) (i renia, idh reniar)

rest

cleft

(ravine, cut), pl. rist (idh rist)

rest

cut

(ravine, cleft), pl. rist (idh rist)

rist

cleft

(noun) 1) rist (-ris), no distinct pl. except with article (idh rist). Note: a homophone means ”cleaver, cutter”, 2) cirith (i girith, o chirith) (cutting, pass), no distinct pl. form except with article (i chirith), 3) cîl (i gîl, o chîl) (pass between hills, gorge), no distinct pl. form except with article (i chîl), coll. pl. cíliath. A homophone means ”renewal”. 4) criss (i griss, o chriss, construct cris) (cut, slash), no distinct pl. form except with article (i chriss), 4) iaw (gulf, ravine), pl. ioe. Note: a homophone means ”corn”, 5) rest (ravine, cut), pl. rist (idh rist), 6) (deep cleft) falch (ravine[?]), pl. felch

rist

cleft

(-ris), no distinct pl. except with article (idh rist). Note: a homophone means ”cleaver, cutter”

sigil

knife

sigil (i higil, o sigil) (dagger), no distinct pl. form except with article (i sigil), coll. pl. sigiliath. Note: a homophone means ”necklace”.

sigil

knife

(i higil, o sigil) (dagger), no distinct pl. form except with article (i sigil), coll. pl. sigiliath. Note: a homophone means ”necklace”.

thanc

cleft

(adj.) thanc (forked, split), pl. thainc

thanc

cleft

(forked, split), pl. thainc

balak

noun. ship

The noun for “ship”, attested only in the plural (balîk) and objective (balku) forms (SD/247, PM/151). Its plural form indicates that it is a strong-noun (Strong I), so its final vowel must be short. In theory its final vowel could be any of a, i or u, each of which would be replaced by long î in plural nouns. However, its attested objective form uses the variant objective-with-syncope form balku instead of ordinary ✱baluk. Since the Adûnaic syncope seems only to occur for nouns with two identical short vowels, this indicates the singular form of this word is balak.