óla-

to dream

óla- vb. "to dream" (said to be "impersonal", probably meaning that the dreamer is mentioned in the dative rather than the nominative) (UT:396)

óla-

verb. to dream (impersonal)

An impersonal verb for “to dream” based on the root √OLO-S, so that presumably the purported subject would be in the dative: óla nin “[it] dreams to me = I dream”. This verb says something interesting about Elvish psychology, in that dreams are seen as things that happen to a dreamer rather than an action of the dreamer themselves. This may be related to the Elvish experience of receiving telepathic visions through dreams, from other Elves or from greater powers.

Conceptual Development: The Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s has a verb G. oltha- that could likewise be used in an impersonal construction with the dative to mean “I dream” (GL/62).

Derivations

• √OLOS “dream, vision, fantasy, dream, vision, fantasy; [ᴹ√] sleep” ✧ UT/396

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
√olo-s > ōla-	[ōla-]	✧ UT/396

Variations

• ōla- ✧ UT/396

oltha-

verb. to dream, to dream; [G.] to appear as an apparition

A verb for “to dream” in The Etymologies of the 1930s derived from primitive ᴹ✶olsa- based on the root ᴹ√OLOS “dream” (Ety/LOS, ÓLOS), where the primitive ls became lth as was usual.

Conceptual Development: In the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s G. oltha- was glossed “to appear as an apparition”, but could be used for “I dream” as an impersonal verb with the purported subject in the dative (GL/62). This seems to be similar to how Q. óla- “dream” was used in Tolkien’s later writings, which likewise was an impersonal verb (UT/396). The Gnomish Lexicon had another verb G. olma- “I dream” as well (GL/62). These Gnomish verbs were clearly based on the early root ᴱ√OLO (QL/69).

Derivations

• ᴹ√(O)LOS “sleep; dream” ✧ Ety/LOS
• ᴹ✶olsa- “to dream” ✧ Ety/ÓLOS
  • ᴹ√(O)LOS “sleep; dream” ✧ Ety/ÓLOS

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
ᴹ✶olsa- > oltha-	[olsa-] > [olθa-]	✧ Ety/ÓLOS

Variations

• oltha ✧ Ety/LOS