rhaw

noun. lion

A noun appearing as N. rhaw “lion” in The Etymologies of the 1930s derived from primitive ᴹ✶rāu [rāw] under the root ᴹ√RAW (Ety/RAW), where the initial r was unvoiced to rh as was generally the case in Noldorin. It had a Noldorin plural form of rhui.

Conceptual Development: G. rau “lion” appeared in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s (GL/65), probably a derivative of the early root ᴱ√RAVA like its cognate ᴱQ. rau “lion” (QL/79).

Neo-Sindarin: Since the unvoicing of initial liquids did not occur in Sindarin, many people adapt this word as ᴺS. raw “lion” for purposes of Neo-Sindarin, as suggested in HSD (HSD). Its Sindarin-style plural is more likely to be roe(w) rather than ✱✱rui: compare Sindarin plural S. noeg of naug “dwarf” (UT/100) vs. its Noldorin plural N. nuig (EtyAC/NAUK).

rhaw

noun. lion

rauro

noun. lion

The common Quenya word for “lion” (more literally “roarer”) appearing in the Outline of Phonology (OP2) from the 1950s, as opposed to archaic Q. †rá (PE19/99, 104); see that entry for further discussion of its conceptual development.

rá

noun. lion

An archaic word for “lion” mentioned in the Outline of Phonology (OP2) from the 1950s, versus more common Q. rauro (PE19/99, 104).

Conceptual Development: This word has a lengthy history in Tolkien’s conception of Elvish, dating all the way back to ᴱQ. rau “lion” in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s, a derivative of the early root ᴱ√RAVA (QL/79). In the Declension of Nouns from the early 1930s, Tolkien had rú “lion” (PE21/40). It appeared in The Etymologies from later in the 1930s as ᴹQ. rá “lion” derived from primitive ᴹ✶rāu [rāw] under the root ᴹ√RAW, with plural form rávi (Ety/RAW).

In the Outline of Phonetic Development (OP1) from this period Tolkien had (unglossed) rāva < rāwa (PE19/62), but in Notes for Qenya Declensions from the 1940s Tolkien had (unglossed) rāu < rắwă (PE21/69). The last clear mention in currently published materials is in the Outline of Phonology (OP2) from the 1950s, as discussed above.

rau

lion

rau (pl. rávi) noun "lion" (LT1:260; the pl. of this "Qenya" form is valid in Tolkien's later Quenya as well, but the sg. he changed to rá, q.v.)

rauro

noun. lion

lion

rá

lion

rá (2) noun "lion", stem #ráv- as in the pl. rávi (RAW). Compare rau.

rá†

noun. lion

lion

ravennë

she-lion

ravennë noun "she-lion" (LT1:260)

ravennë

noun. she-lion, *lioness

rāw

noun. lion

raw

noun. lion

raw

noun. lion

raw

lion

*raw (pl. roe, idh roe). Suggested Sindarin form of ”Noldorin” rhaw, pl rhui. Homophones mean ”bank” (of river) and also ”rush, roaring noise”.

raw

lion

(pl. roe, idh roe). Suggested Sindarin form of ”Noldorin” rhaw, pl rhui. Homophones mean ”bank” (of river) and also ”rush, roaring noise”.