star

root. *stiff, [ᴹ√] stiff

The root ᴹ√STAR “stiff” appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s with derivatives like ᴹQ. sara/N. thâr “stiff grass” and N. tharn “sapless, stiff, rigid, withered” (Ety/STAR). It had an extended variant ᴹ√STARAN serving as the basis for Ilk. thrôn “stiff, hard” in Ilk. Belthronding (Ety/STARAN). The root √STAR reappeared unglossed in Common Eldarin: Verb Structure of the early 1950s as a verbal root to illustrate certain patterns in the formation of perfect tenses; as such it may not be a “real” appearance of the root (PE22/133).

elen

noun. star

ēl

noun. star

el

root. lo, behold; star, lo, behold; star, [ᴹ√] starry sky

Tolkien introduced ᴹ√EL as the basis for Elvish star-words in The Etymologies of the 1930s at the same time as he devised a new etymology for the words for “Elf” as the “Star-Folk” using an extended form of this root ᴹ√ELED (Ety/EL, ELED). The extended root √ELED seems to have survived at least up until around 1950, where it appear among list of examples of roots for Elvish tribal names, with deleted variant √EDEL (PE18/84). But later on the extended form seems to have fallen away, at least as the basis for Elf-words, being replaced in the Quendi and Eldar essay from 1959-60 by the root √DEL “walk, go, proceed, travel” and its Quenya-only variant √LED.

In the Quendi and Eldar essay, the words for “Elf” were recontextualized as a blend of the senses “star” and “departure”, referring to Elves both as the people of the stars and the specific group of the Eldar as those Elves who left for Aman (WJ/362-3). In these same notes Tolkien said that ele originated first as an interjection meaning “lo!, behold!”, as uttered when the Elves first beheld the stars (WJ/360). In this sense, it might have been a partial restoration of a (hypothetical) early root ✱ᴱ√ELE used for various words of wonderment and “otherness” in the 1910s and 20s; see that entry for details.

eledā

noun. star-folk, of the stars

elen-barathī

noun. star-queen

eled

root. *Star-Folk, Elf

elendīl

masculine name. Star-lover

tini

noun. spark

kelutā-

verb. to cause to spring forth, start (water) flowing, tap

barathī

noun. queen

gilyā

noun. silver spark

yeset Reconstructed

root. beginning

The root ᴹ√ESE(T) “precede” and ᴹ√SET “precede forward” appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s with derivatives like ᴹQ. esse “beginning”, ᴹQ. esta “first”, and N. seth {“first” >>} “forth”, but the ᴹ√SET forms were rejected and the ᴹ√ESE(T) forms marked with a “?”, being in conflict with ᴹ√ES “indicate, name” (Ety/ESE; EtyAC/SET). The appearance of Q. yesta “beginning” and Q. Yestarë “first day of the year” in later writings (LotR/1108-1109; PE17/120) indicate the root was probably revised to ✱√YESET.

us(u)kwē

noun. dusk

êl

noun. star

A Sindarin word for “star” that is largely archaic and poetic, and is mainly used as element in names like Elrond (Let/281; WJ/363; Ety/EL); the more usual word for “star” in ordinary speech was gil (RGEO/65). However, the collective form elenath is still used in common speech to refer to the entire host of stars (WJ/363). The plural of êl is elin, as this word was derived from ancient ✶elen, and the final n that was lost in the singular was preserved in the plural. In some cases Tolkien posited a restored analogical singular elen from the plural form (PE17/24, 67, 139), but this isn’t in keeping with the notion that the word was archaic, so I would ignore this for purposes of Neo-Sindarin.

Conceptual Development: This word and its root first appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s, where N. el “star” was derived from the root ᴹ√EL of similar meaning, but was “only [used] in names” (Ety/EL). It seems Tolkien introduced the root to give a new etymology for names like N. Elrond and N. Elwing, which initially appeared under the root ᴹ√ƷEL “sky” (Ety/ƷEL).

el

star

n. star.

êl

star

pl1. elin, pl2. elenath** ** n. star. Q. elen, pl1. eldi, eleni, pl2. elelli. >> elen

elen

star

pl1. elin, pl2. elenath _n._star. Its collective plural (pl2.) designates 'the (host of all the) stars, (all) the (visible) stars of the firmament'. Q. elen, pl1. eldi, eleni. o menel aglar elenath ! lit. 'from Firmament glory of the stars !'. >> êl

elen

noun. star

gil-

noun. star

gill

noun. star

elrond

masculine name. Star-dome

Lord of Rivendell (LotR/170). His name is translated “Star-dome” (Let/448, WJ/414), a combination of êl “star” and rond “vaulted roof” (SA/rond, WJ/414).

Conceptual Development: The name Elrond first appeared in early Silmarillion drafts from the late 1920s (SM/38) and was first published in the Hobbit in 1937. His name appeared in The Etymologies from the 1930s in two forms: Noldorin Elrond “Starry-dome” (Ety/EL) and Ilkorin Elrond “Vault of Heaven” (Ety/ROD), both with essentially the same etymology as his later Sindarin name. In a few places Tolkien considered alternate etymologies for this name: in Quenya Notes (QN) from 1957, he suggested the final element might be rhond “body” (PE17/183), and in a letter to Rhona Beare from 1958, he suggested the initial element might be archaic †Ell “Elf” (Let/281). Both of these seem to have been transient ideas.

elros

masculine name. Star-foam

Brother of Elrond who chose life as a mortal Man and became the first king of Númenor (LotR/1034-5). His name is translated “Star-foam” (Let/448, PM/349), a combination of êl “star” and ross “foam” (SA/ros, PM/368-9).

Conceptual Development: The name N. Elros first appeared in the Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (SM/155 note #9, LR/216) and was mentioned in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s (WR/158). In a few places Tolkien considered alternate etymologies for this name: in a letter to Rhona Beare from 1958, he suggested the initial element might be archaic †Ell “Elf” (Let/281), and in an essay on “The Problem of Ros” from 1968, he considered but ultimately rejected the possibility that the final element was a Bëorian word rôs “foam”, instead of Sindarin. Both of these seem to have been transient ideas.

elwing

feminine name. Star-spray

Granddaughter of Lúthien, beloved of Q. Eärendil and mother of Elrond and Elros, her name is translated “Star-spray” (S/235, Let/448). This name is a combination of êl “star” and the lenited form of gwing “spray” (SA/wing; PM/365 note #55, 376 note #24).

Conceptual Development: Her name appeared as G. Elwing in the earliest Lost Tales (LT2/241), but in the Gnomish Lexicon from this period her name was translated “Lake Foam”, a variant of the name G. Ailwing (GL/17, 32). In The Etymologies from the 1930s, Tolkien revised the meaning of the initial element of N. Elwing, first deriving it from ᴹ√ƷEL “sky” (Ety/ƷEL), then from ᴹ√EL “star” (Ety/EL). Thereafter, her name remained “Star-spray”, but Tolkien did at times consider that the second element -wing might be borrowed from a non-Sindarin language, either from the language of the Green Elves (PM/349) or from Bëorian (PM/369).

gil

noun. star; (bright) spark, silver glint, twinkle of light

The usual word for “star” in Sindarin which replaced archaic/poetic êl; it originally meant “(bright) spark” (RGEO/65; VT42/11). It was derived from the root √(Ñ)GIL meaning “shine (white)” (PE17/152) or “silver glint” (MR/388; PE17/22).

Conceptual Development: This word first appeared as G. gail “a star” in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s (GL/42), derived from the early root ᴱ√Gil- (GL/38). In the Early Noldorin Grammar Tolkien said ᴱN. gail meant “sign, token, heavenly body” (PE13/123); earlier in this document he gave it the gloss {“life” >>} “sign” (PE13/120 and note #6). In Early Noldorin Word-lists written somewhat later, gail again simply meant “star” (PE13/143), and it was used this way in the Nebrachar poem from around 1930 (MC/217).

In The Etymologies of the 1930s Tolkien gave it as N. geil “star” from primitive ᴹ✶gilya under the root ᴹ√GIL “shine (white or pale)” (Ety/GIL; EtyAC/GIL). Christopher Tolkien incorrectly marked geil as a plural form in The Etymologies as published in The Lost Road (LR/358), but Carl Hostetter and Patrick Wynne corrected this in their Addenda and Corrigenda to the Etymologies (VT45/15). Remnants of this 1930s derivation can be seen in the forms geil/gail in notes from the 1950s, derived from ancient ✶gilyā “silver spark” (PE17/30, 152). Mostly, however, Tolkien represented this word as gil in later writings, including in The Lord of the Rings Appendix E (LotR/1113).

Possible Etymology: The etymology of gil is complicated by Tolkien’s vacillation with the singular form gail (†geil) < ✶gilyā, where the diphthong ai is the result of a-affection of the base vowel from i to e, which after i-intrusion produced ei and this diphthong became ai as usual in final syllables and monosyllables: gilyā [ >✱geli(a)] > geil > gail. Signs of this etymology can be seen in the class plural giliath as in S. Dagor-nuin-Giliath “Battle-under-Stars” (S/106).

With this alternate derivation, the plural form would still be gîl, since the ancient plural -ī prevented a-affection, and the prefixal form likewise would have been gil- (PE17/152). However, this derivation conflicts with Tolkien’s usual presentation of the singular form as gil. In some places Tolkien gave a primitive form like ✶(ñ)gillē (PE17/23) or a Sindarin form gill (PE17/50), but I think it is best to assume primitive ✱gili- to explain singular gil and class-plural giliath.

gil-estel

proper name. Star of (High) Hope

A name give to Vingilótë after it became a star, translated “Star of High Hope” (S/250). This name is a combination of gil “star” and estel “hope” (SA/gil).

Conceptual Development: In Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s, this name first appeared as Gil-Orrain of the same meaning, later revised to Gil-Amdir and finally Gil-Estel (WJ/246). On the carbon copy of the original revision, Orestel was written above Orrain; this fits better with the English translations, with Or- < ar(a)- “high”.

gil-galad

masculine name. Starlight, (lit.) Star of Radiance

Last high-king of the Noldor and leader of the elves in the Last Alliance against Sauron at the end of the Second Age (LotR/52). His name is a compound of S. gil “star” and S. galad “radiance, glittering reflection”, the latter also an element in the name S. Galadriel “Glittering-garland” (RGEO/65, Let/425). In The Lord of the Rings his name was translated “Starlight” (LotR/191) but elsewhere Tolkien translated this name in various ways all roughly with the meaning: “Star of Radiance” (PM/347), which was the translation used by Christopher Tolkien in The Silmarillion index (SI/Gil-galad).

Conceptual Development: This name appeared in The Etymologies from the 1930s as N. Gil-galad “Starlight” (Ety/GIL). At this stage, the final element was probably the lenited form of N. calad “light” (PE17/50), though N. galad also appeared in The Etymologies with the gloss “light” (EtyAC/GAL).

gil-orrain

proper name. Star of High Hope

The earliest form of Gil-Estel with the same translation “Star of High Hope” (WJ/246). The second element might begin with Or- < ar(a)- “high”, but the origin of the final -rain is unclear.

gilthoniel

feminine name. Star-kindler

A title of Elbereth (LotR/238) translated “Star-kindler” (RGEO/64, Let/278), the equivalent of Q. Tintallë (MR/388). This name is a combination of gil “star”, a derivative of the root √THAN “kindle” and the feminine suffix -iel (PE17/22-3, MR/388).

Conceptual Development: The name N. Gilthoniel appeared in The Etymologies from the 1930s with essentially the same derivation as the one given above, except that the middle element was from the root ᴹ√TAN “make, fashion”, and the gloss was “Star-maker” (Ety/GIL, TAN). When this name first appeared in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, it was Gilthonieth, a form that also appeared in The Etymologies, but it was soon revised to Gilthoniel (RS/68). In some notes from the 1950s, Tolkien considered the possibility that the final element thoniel was a special past-tense agental formation meaning “kindler (in the past)” (PE17/82).

Elbereth

noun. star queen/lady

êl (“star”) + bereth (“queen, spouse of a king”) No lenition: original name Elenbarathi yielding Elmbereth, where triconsonantal lmb > lb.

Elbereth

theology. 'Star-queen'

theon.'Star-queen'. On the mythological association of Varda with stars, see PE17:22. Same meaning as Q. Elentári. Rarely Bereth. Formed later, Elbereth would prob. have been given such forms as Bereth (in)-elin or Bereth (in)gîl. >> Bereth (in)-elin, êl, elen

Elfaron

noun. star-hunter (Moon)

êl (“star”) + faron (“hunter”)

Elros

noun. star foam, spray

êl (“star”) + ros (“foam, spray”) In PM:369, the last element is said to be rôs from the Bëorian tongue.

Gil-Estel (Eärendil)

noun. star of hope

gîl (“star, bright spark”) + estel (“hope”)

Gil-galad

noun. star of radiance

gîl (“star, bright spark”) + galad (“light, radiance”) Reinterpreted from gil + calad “star light” [Etym. KAL-]

Gil-galad

noun. 'Star of light'

prop. n. 'Star of (clear) light'. >> gal-

Gilthoniel

noun. star-kindler

gîl (pl. of gîl “star, bright spark”) + thóniel (perf. act. part. of than- “kindle, set light to”) #[HKF] it is possible that iel is just iell “daughter” [Etym. SEL-D] traditional ending for women’s names.

Gilthoniel

'Star-kindler'

theon.'Star-kindler'. Q. Tintalle. THĂN/THĀN << TÁN << TON; ÑGIL << GIL.

a hîr annûn gilthoniel

*oh Lady of the West, Star-kindler

The fourth phrase of Lúthien’s Song (LB/354). Three translations of this phrase are:

• Patrick Wynne: “✱O Lord of the West, star-kindling” (NTTLS/11)

• David Salo: “✱O Lady of the West, star-kindler” (GS/211)

• Bertrand Bellet and Benjamin Babut: “✱O Lady of the West, Starkindler” (GTLC)

The first word is the vocative particle a “O”. The second word hîr is typically translated as masculine “lord”, but since in this case it is addressing Elbereth, I think (like Salo, Bellet and Babut) it is better to translate it as “lady”, even though elsewhere the Sindarin word for “lady” is given as híril or heryn. The third word is annûn “west” and the last word is Gilthoniel “Star-kindler”, one of the names of Elbereth (Varda).

Patrick Wynne instead suggested (NTTLS/10) that the fact that the word gilthoniel is lower case might mean it is an adjectival form “star-kindling” applied to the Moon rather than Varda, and he is addressed as “Lord” (the Elves considered the Moon to be male). This does explain the masculine form Hîr, but I find it difficult to believe that Lúthien would address the Moon by one of Varda’s name, and follow Salo, Bellet and Babut in assuming the words are spoken to Elbereth.

elanor

noun. star-sun (flower)

êl (“star”) + anor (“sun”)

ithildin

noun. star-moon (metal)

Ithil (“moon”) + tinu, tint (“spark, little star”)

orgilion

noun. *Star-day, Saturday

aduial

noun. the evening, time of star-opening, "evendim"

gail

noun. silver spark, silver spark, [ᴱN.] star; sign, token, heavenly body

gil

noun. star, bright spark

In The Etymologies (Ety/358, corrected by VT/45:15), this word was given as geil , plural gîl. However, later in LotR/E and RGEO/73, Tolkien seems to consider gil as a singular (with no hints in the sources of what the plural would be, besides the collective plural giliath )

tinu

noun. spark, small star

êl

noun. star (little used except in verses)

eladar

masculine name. Starfather

A sobriquet of Tuor on a genealogy chart from 1959, translated “Starfather” (WJ/234-5), obviously a combination of êl “star” and adar “father”.

Elrond

noun. starry dome

êl (“star”) + rond (“domed roof”)

Gilthoniel

Starkindler

_ theon. _Starkindler (in past). >> thoniel

Tindobel

noun. starlit village, city

tindu (AS “twilight”) + gobel (“village, town”) #Nd doesn’t become nn within one morpheme as it’s an archaic name.

elenath

noun. starry host, all the host of the stars of heaven

gil-

prefix. spark

_ pref. _spark, often used for 'star'. Form of gail/geil in compounds. >> gail, geil, Gilgalad

tîn

spark

n. spark, star. Q. tinwe spark (Poet. star).

tin

noun. spark

_ n. _spark, sparkle (esp. used of the twinkle of stars). >> ithildin

gilgalad

noun. 'Starlight'

prop. n. 'Starlight'. >> gil-

giliath

noun. all the host of stars

gîl

star

gîl (i ngîl = i ñîl, o n**gîl, construct gil) (bright spark, silver glint), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. giliath** (RGEO, MR:388). Poetic †êl (elen-, pl. elin, coll. pl. elenath) (RGEO, Letters:281, WJ:363).

gîl

star

(i ngîl = i ñîl, o n’gîl, construct gil) (bright spark, silver glint), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. giliath **(RGEO, MR:388). Poetic †êl (elen-, pl. **elin, coll. pl. elenath) (RGEO, Letters:281, WJ:363).

Elrond

Star-dome

The name Elrond has been translated as "Star-dome", and "Vault of Heaven" recalling the glory of Menegroth though at an earlier stage, it was supposed to mean "Elf of the Cave". His Quenya name was most likely Elerondo, isolated from the patronymic Elerondiel, "daughter of Elrond".

tiniath

noun. group of stars, star-cluster, constellation

A neologism coined by Paul Strack in 2021 specifically for Eldamo, a class-plural form of S. tîn. This word refers only the entirety of specific group of stars; all stars that exist (or in the sky) would be S. giliath. As an ordinary class-plural, tiniath may also refer to any collection of sparkling things.

elanor

feminine name. Elanor

Sam Gamgee’s eldest child, who was named after the flower of Lórien elanor “sun-star” (LotR/1026, SD/129). In Tolkien’s unfinished epilogue to The Lord of the Rings, this name also appeared in the diminutive form Elanorellë (SD/122).

elanor

star-sun

(a kind of pimpernel with golden and silver flowers) elanor (pl. elanoer). Archaic *elanaur.

elanor

star-sun

(pl. elanoer). Archaic ✱elanaur.

tim

small star

(MR:388). Archaic tinw, so the coll. pl. is likely  tinwath. 3)

elui

adjective. starry

A neologism for “starry” coined by Gábor Lőrinczi from the VQP (VQP), an adjectival form of êl “star”.

gilgalad

starlight

1) gilgalad (i ngilgalad = i ñilgalad, o n**gilgalad, pl. gilgelaid (in gilgelaid = i ñgilgelaid) if there is a plural form. 2) gilith (also used = Quenya Ilmen, the region of stars) (i ngilith = i ñilith, o n**gilith) _These mutations presupposed that the root is Ñ, as in MR:388, rather than _ as in the Etymologies (LR:358).

gilith

starlight

(also used = Quenya Ilmen, the region of stars) (i ngilith = i ñilith, o n’gilith) These mutations presupposed that the root is

tinnu

starry twilight

tinnu (i dinnu, o thinnu) (dusk, twilight, starlit evening, early night without a moon), pl. tinny (i thynny) if there is a pl.

tinnu

starry twilight

(i dinnu, o thinnu) (dusk, twilight, starlit evening, early night without a moon), pl. tinny (i thynny) if there is a pl.

gilgalad

starlight

(i ngilgalad = i ñilgalad, o n’gilgalad, pl. gilgelaid (in gilgelaid = i ñgilgelaid) if there is a plural form.

tinnu

starlit evening

(i** dinnu, o thinnu) (dusk, twilight, early night without a moon), pl. tinny (i** thynny) if there is a pl. Verb

tinnu

starlit evening

tinnu (i dinnu, o thinnu) (dusk, twilight, early night without a moon), pl. tinny (i thynny) if there is a pl. Verb

tinnu

starlit evening

tinnu (i dinnu, o thinnu) (dusk, twilight, early night without a moon), pl. tinny (i thynny) if there is a pl.

tinnu

starlit evening

(i dinnu, o thinnu) (dusk, twilight, early night without a moon), pl. tinny (i thynny) if there is a pl.

tint

spark

1) tint (i dint, o thint), no distinct pl. form except with article (i thint), coll. pl. tinnath; 2) tinu (i dinu, o thinu; also -din at the end of compounds), analogical pl. tiny (i thiny). The word is also used =

tint

spark

(i dint, o thint), no distinct pl. form except with article (i thint), coll. pl. tinnath

tinu

spark

(i dinu, o thinu; also -din at the end of compounds), analogical pl. tiny (i thiny). The word is also used =

cotha-

verb. to startle

@@@ based on kaptha- > kautha- > cotha-

gilion

of stars

(lenited ngilion; pl. gilioen). Archaic ✱giliaun.

Elrond

Elrond

The name Elrond (S, pron. [ˈelrond]) has been translated as "Star-dome", and "Vault of Heaven" recalling the glory of Menegroth though at an earlier stage, it was supposed to mean "Elf of the Cave". His Quenya name was most likely Elerondo, isolated from the patronymic Elerondiel, "daughter of Elrond".

Elros

Elros

Elros is a Sindarin name meaning "Elf of the spray", based on a tale from his early childhood when the Sons of Fëanor abducted the twins until Maedhros found them playing in a forest waterfall. Alternatively, his name could mean "star-foam". The Sindarin elements are el ("star") and ros ("foam"). Elros is the Sindarin form of Quenya Elerossë (pron. [ˌeleˈrosːe]).

Gil-galad

Gil-galad

Gil-galad is a Sindarin name, meaning "Star of bright light". The name consists of the elements gil ("star") + galad ("radiance"). According to a note this name was given to him because of the brightness of his eyes .

ithildin

Ithildin

In the legendarium, Gandalf translated ithildin as "starmoon". Tolkien stated that ithildin is a Sindarin name, meaning "moon-star(light"), "moonlight" or "starlight". The word contains the elements Ithil ("moon") + tin/tîn ("spark; star; twinkle of stars"). He noted that the correct Sindarin form should be ithildim.

thoniel

kindler

(feminine) #thoniel (pl. thonil). Isolated from Vardas title Gilthoniel, Star-kindler.

thoniel

kindler

(pl. thonil). Isolated from Varda’s title Gilthoniel, Star-kindler.

edhel

noun. Elf

eledh

noun. Elf

ell

noun. Elf

edhel

elf

edhel (pl. edhil). Coll. pl. Edhelrim (or Edhellim) (UT:318). Also †eledh, pl. elidh, coll. pl. eledhrim (Letters:281), also elen, pl. elin, also with coll. pl. eledhrim (elen + rim with the regular change nr > dhr). _(WJ:363, 377-78; _the shorter coll. pl. Eldrim > Elrim_ _may also occur). But since elin also means "stars", other terms for "Elf" may be preferred.

edhel

elf

(pl. edhil). Coll. pl. Edhelrim (or Edhellim) (UT:318). Also †eledh, pl. elidh, coll. pl. eledhrim (Letters:281), also elen, pl. elin, also with coll. pl. eledhrim (elen + rim with the regular change nr > dhr). (WJ:363, 377-78; the shorter coll. pl. Eldrim > *Elrim*** may also occur). But since elin** also means "stars", other terms for "Elf" may be preferred.

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.

moth

noun. dusk

galadhrim

noun. Elves of Lothlórien

tawarwaith

noun. Silvan elves

Elbereth

Elbereth

1b theon.

Elrond

noun. Elrond

prop. n.

Teler

noun. an Elf, one of the Teleri

amrûn

noun. east, orient

amrûn

noun. east

_n. _east. Q. orrō uprising, sunrise, east. >> rhûn

bereth

noun. queen, spouse

calben

noun. Elf of the Great Journey (lit. "light person")

calben

noun. all Elves but the Avari

dorn

adjective. stiff, tough

dúnedhel

noun. Elf of the West, Elf of Beleriand (including Noldor and Sindar)

edhel

noun. Elf

edhel

noun. Elf

_ n. _Elf, a general name for all the Elves (since the name Quendi had gone out of use in Sindarin). Probably related to or connected with Q. Elda. >> edhellen

edhel

Elf

pl1. edhil, pl2. edhellim {ð} _n. _Elf. A name used by the Sindar for themselves, characterizing other varieties by an adjective or prefix. >> Aredhel, Thinnedhel

edhel

Elf

{ð} _n. _Elf.

edhel

Elf

d _ n. _Elf. Q. elda.

edhelharn

noun. elf-stone

egladhrim

noun. "The Forsaken", Elves of the Falathrim

eglath

noun. "The Forsaken", Elves of the Falathrim

elen

noun. Elf

ell

noun. elf

n. elf, esp. [?in ?the ?South]. Noldorin form.

elleth

noun. elf-maid

ellon

noun. elf

elvellon

noun. elf-friend

gail

silver spark

pl1. gîl, pl2. giliath _ n. _silver spark. >> gail, geil

geil

silver spark

pl1. gîl, pl2. giliath _ n. _silver spark. >> gail

glinnel

noun. Elf, one of the Teleri

golodh

noun. "Deep Elf" or "Gnome", one of the Wise Folk

golodhrim

noun. Deep Elves, Gnomes

gódhel

noun. "Deep Elf" or "Gnome", one of the Wise Folk

gódhellim

noun. "Deep Elves" or "Gnomes", the Wise Folk

iathrim

noun. Elves of Doriath

lachend

noun. Deep Elf (Sindarin name for the Ñoldor)

lachenn

noun. Deep Elf (Sindarin name for the Ñoldor)

laegel

noun. a Green Elf

laegeldrim

noun. the people of the Green Elves

laegrim

noun. the people of the Green Elves

lo

lo

lû

noun. a time, occasion

miniel

noun. an Elf, one of the Vanyar

mornedhel

noun. Dark-Elf

penedh

noun. Elf

rhuven

noun. east

rhûn

noun. east

rhûn

noun. east

n. east. Q. hrō- uprising, sunrise, east. >> amrûn

rían

noun. queen, queen, *(lit.) crowned-lady

rîs

noun. queen

rûn

noun. east

n. #east. Q. rómen.

tarch

adjective. stiff, tough

telerrim

noun. the Teleri, a tribe of Elves

toniel

noun. kindler

ódhel

noun. Deep Elf or Gnome, one of the Wise Folk

ódhellim

noun. Deep Elves or Gnomes, the Wise Folk

anann

for a long time

.

avar

non-eldarin elf

pl. Evair, also called

bereth

queen

(i vereth) (spouse), pl. berith (i mberith)

calben

elf of the great journey

(i galben, o chalben), pl. celbin (i chelbin).

dorn

stiff

1) dorn (tough), lenited dhorn, pl. dyrn; 2) tharn (sapless, rigid, withered), pl. thern.

dorn

stiff

(tough), lenited dhorn, pl. dyrn

dúnedhel

elf of beleriand

(i Núnedhel), pl. *Dúnedhil*** (i Ndúnedhil*). (WJ:378, 386)*

dû

dusk

(i dhû) (night, nightfall, late evening, darkness), pl. dui (i nui) (SD:302).

dû

late evening

(i dhû) (night, nightfall, darkness), pl. dui (i nui) (SD:302).

edhelharn

elf-stone

(a term for beryl) edhelharn (pl. edhelhern) (SD:128-31).

edhelharn

elf-stone

(a term for beryl) edhelharn (pl. edhelhern) (SD:128-31). SEEING STONE (palantír) *gwachaedir (i **wachaedir), no distinct pl. form except with prefixed article (in gwachaedir), coll. pl. ?gwachaediriath or ?gwachadirnath (the latter form assuming that -dir is reduced from older -dirn) The form occurring in the primary source, gwahaedir, must represent the late Gondorian pronunciation with h for ch** (PM:186).

edhelharn

elf-stone

(pl. edhelhern) (SD:128-31).

elleth

elf-woman

(pl. ellith) (WJ:363-64, 377)

ellon

elf-man

(pl. ellyn)

elvellon

elf-friend

elvellon (pl. elvellyn, coll. pl. elvellonnath (WJ:412);

elvellon

elf-friend

(pl. elvellyn, coll. pl. elvellonnath (WJ:412);

gildin

silver spark

gildin (i ngildin = i ñildin, o n**gildin = o ñgildin), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gildin** = i ñgildin). ”

gwanwel

elf of aman

(”departed” Elf), pl. gwenwil (in gwenwil), coll. pl. gwanwellath. (WJ:378) Also gwanwen; see

iesta-

verb. to begin

laegel

green-elf

pl. laegil; coll. pl. laegrim or laegeldrim (WJ:385). These forms from a late source would seem to supersede the ”N” forms listed in LR:368 s.v. LÁYAK: *Lhoebenidh* or *Lhoebelidh*. The Green-elves of Beleriand were also called Lindel (pl. Lindil), also Lindedhel (pl. Lindedhil)  *(WJ:385)*.

lefn

elf left behind

pl. lifn.

lû

time

_(a time) _1) lû (occasion), pl. lui, coll. pl. lúath.

lû

time

(occasion), pl. lui, coll. pl. lúath.

miniel

first elf

(i Viniel), pl. Mínil (i Mínil), coll. pl. Miniellath. (WJ:383)

mornedhel

dark elf

(i Vornedhel), pl. Mornedhil (i Mornedhil). Conceivably the entire word could be umlauted in the pl.: ?Mernedhil. **(WJ:409) Another term for ”Dark Elf” is Dúredhel (i Dhúredhel), pl. Dúredhil (i Núredhil**).

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.

peredhel

half-elf

(pl. peredhil) (PM:256, 348).

rían

queen

(”crown-gift”), pl. ríain (idh ríain)

ríen

queen

(crowned lady), pl. ?rîn (idh rîn). The adjective rîn ”crowned” may also be used as a noun ”crowned woman” =  ”queen”, but with no distinct pl. form except when article precedes (idh rîn again); coll. pl. ríniath. Note: a homophone means ”remembrance”.

rîs

queen

1) rîs, no distinct pl. except with article preceding (idh rîs); coll. pl. ?rissath; 2) rían (”crown-gift”), pl. ríain (idh ríain); 3) bereth (i vereth) (spouse), pl. berith (i mberith), 4) ríen (crowned lady), pl. ?rîn (idh rîn). The adjective rîn ”crowned” may also be used as a noun ”crowned woman” = ”queen”, but with no distinct pl. form except when article precedes (idh rîn again); coll. pl. ríniath. Note: a homophone means ”remembrance”.

rîs

noun. queen

rîs

queen

no distinct pl. except with article preceding (idh rîs); coll. pl. ?rissath

send

grey-elf

(i hend, o send, construct sen) (probably a term only used by the Noldor, borrowed from Quenya Sinda), pl. sind (i sind), coll. pl. Sendrim (the only attested form).

silith

silver light

silith (i hilith, o silith), no distinct pl. form except with article (i silith), if there is a pl. form. The word silif is of similar meaning and would have the same mutations.

tarias

stiffness

(i darias, o tharias) (toughness, difficulty), pl. teriais (i theriais) if there is a pl.

tarlanc

stiff-necked

(obstinate), lenited darlanc, pl. terlainc.

tharn

stiff

(sapless, rigid, withered), pl. thern.

thinna

grow toward evening

(fade).

thîn

evening

†*thîn (no distinct pl. form; coll. pl. thíniath). The form cited in LR:392 s.v. __ is not marked as containing a long vowel (“thin”).

thîn

evening

(no distinct pl. form; coll. pl. thíniath). The form cited in LR:392 s.v. THIN is not marked as containing a long vowel (“thin”).

elen

noun. star

The most common Quenya word for “star”, mentioned very frequently, derived from an extended form ✶elen of the root √EL “behold” (PE17/67; WJ/360, 362). Its usual plural form is eleni, but it has an archaic plural †eldi sometimes used in verse, the result of the Ancient Quenya sound whereby [[aq|[ln] became [ld]]] after the ancient plural underwent the Quenya syncope, ✶elenī > AQ. elni; its normal modern plural form eleni was actually a reformation from the singular (PE17/57, 151; WJ/362).

Conceptual Development: This word first appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s, though in the original entry for the root ᴹ√EL Tolkien said it was poetical and gave variants ellen and elena (Ety/EL).

él

noun. star

An archaic or poetic word for star (WJ/362), somewhat common in compounds but in ordinary speech typically appearing as elen. It was derived directly from the primitive root √EL “behold”, the basis for other star words (PM/340; WJ/360).

Conceptual Development: This word first appeared as poetical ᴹQ. él “star” in The Etymologies of the 1930s, already with the derivation given above, though in this document the root ᴹ√EL meant “star” (Ety/EL), a common gloss for the root in later writings as well.

elen

star

elen noun "star" (SA:êl, elen, EL, VT49:39); pl. eleni (occasionally in verse: eldi) (WJ:362, PE17:127); partitive pl. elelli for elenli (PE17:127), gen. pl. elenion in the phrase Elenion Ancalima "brightest of stars" (LotR2:IV ch. 9; see Letters:385 for translation); elen atta "two stars" (VT49:44), genitive elen atto "of two stars" (VT49:45), eleni neldë "three stars", archaic elenion neldë = "of stars three". Genitive "of 3 stars" = elenion neldë (for archaic elenion neldëo) (VT49:45). Allative elenna "starwards" used as name of Númenor _(Silm; see Elenna)_; ablative pl. elenillor "from stars" in Markirya. **Nai elen siluva ***"may a star shine", VT49:38.

él

star

†él noun "star", pl. éli given (WJ:362, EL)

ílë

star

ílë noun "star" (LT1:269; rather elen, él in LotR-style Quenya.)

elatan

masculine name. *Star Man

The husband of Silmarien and father of Valandil, ancestor of the kings of Gondor and Arnor (UT/173). His name seems to be a compound of él “star” and Atan “Man”.

elemmacil

masculine name. *Star Sword

The captain of the gates of Gondolin who confronted Tuor (UT/45). His name is most likely a compound of elen “star” and macil “sword”, with the n assimilated to the m.

elemmírë

proper name. Elven-gem, Star-gem

The name of a star (S/48), possibly Mercury (MR/435). It was also the name of the Vanyarin elf of unknown gender who composed the Aldudénië (S/76). This name is a compound of elen “star” and mírë “jewel, gem” (SA/mîr, PE19/96), with the n assimilated to the m.

Conceptual Development: When this name first appeared, it was Elemírë with only a single m (MR/100). It also appeared in some places with a short i (MR/435).

elendil

masculine name. Elf-friend, Star-lover

Tar-Elendil was the fourth ruler of Númenor (UTI/219). Many centuries later a second, more famous, Elendil became the leader of the Men of the West against Sauron at the end of the Second Age and was considered the first king of Gondor and Arnor (LotR/1037). This name is attributed two different meanings: “Elf-friend” and “Star-lover” (WJ/410). The first interpretation was common among Men, and was derived from the ancient associations between Elda “Elf” and †él “star”. Properly speaking, though, his name was a compound of elen “star” and the suffix -(n)dil “lover”, so “Star-lover” is a better interpretation in proper Quenya. The proper Quenya for “Elf-friend” would be Eldandil.

Conceptual Development: In the very first draft of the tale of the Fall of Númenor, this character was named N. Agaldor > N. Amroth (LR/12, 31). When this character first appeared in the “Lost Road”, his name was ᴹQ. Herendil “Fortune’s Friend” and his father was called ᴹQ. Elendil (LR/57). In “The Notion Club Papers”, the character was given the Adûnaic name Ad. Nimruzân >> Nimruzîr “Elf-friend” (SD/389-90), and his contemporaneous Quenya name also shifted to ᴹQ. Elendil (SD/356). His father became ᴹQ. Amardil, later Q. Amandil.

The earlier character Ælfwine might be consider a precursor to Elendil, at least in the meaning of his name: “Elf-friend”. Therefore, the Early Qenya name ᴱQ. Eldairon of Ælfwine could be considered a precursor to the name Elendil (LT2/313).

elendur

masculine name. *Star-servant

Eldest son of Isildur (S/295, UT/271) and also the 9th king of Arnor (LotR/1038). This name is probably a compound elen “star” and the suffix -(n)dur “-servant”.

elentir

proper name. *Star-gazer

In one version of the tale of the last days of Númenor, he was the brother of Amandil and first love of Tar-Míriel (PM/159-160). His name may be a compound elen “star” and -tir “-gazer”, as in palantír “far-gazer”.

elentári

feminine name. Queen of the Stars, Star-queen

A title of Varda as the maker of the stars (LotR/377, S/48), a compound elen “star” and tári “queen”.

Conceptual Development: In the first name list of the Valar from the 1910s, Varda’s title was ᴱQ. Tinwetári beside the variant Tinwevarni (PE14/14), using the earlier word tinwe for “star” (LT1A/Tinwetári). It was the first of these forms, Tinwetári, that appeared in the earliest Lost Tales along with the gloss “Queen of Stars” (LT1/100), and it also appeared in the Qenya and Gnomish Lexicons from the 1910s (QL/102; GL/18).

The name retained the form ᴹQ. Tinwetári in the first Silmarillion drafts from the beginning of the 1930s (SM/82, SM/286) and this name also appeared in The Etymologies (Ety/TĀ). In Silmarillion drafts from the mid-30s, the name was changed to ᴹQ. Tinwerontar (LR/200, 216) and the same change was made in The Etymologies (Ety/TIN), perhaps with the genitive plural tinweron of tinwe “star”. The name was soon revised to ᴹQ. Elentári (LR/216, Ety/EL), and the name retained this form thereafter.

elerossë

masculine name. Star Foam

The Quenya name of S. Elros (PM/349), a compound of elen “star” and rossë “dew”. The final -n of elen was assimilated to the r, which also happened in the names Elerondo and Elerrína.

elestirnë

feminine name. Star-brow

Tar-Elestirnë “Lady of the Star-brow” was the name given to Erendis when she became the queen of Númenor (UT/184). The initial element of this name is probably elen “star”. The second element -stirnë “brow” is probably related to the primitive form stīrē “face” (VT41/10) seen in the name Carnistir. The final -n of elen was probably assimilated to the s, which also happened in the name Elessar.

elostirion

place name. *Star Fort

The tallest of the white towers on the Emyn Beraid (S/292, UT/411 note #2). This name may be a compound of él “star” and [ᴹQ.] ostirion “fort”.

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, ᴹQ. Elostirion was a transient replacement for Osgiliath (TI/423, WR/81).

tintallë

feminine name. (Star) Kindler

A title of Varda as maker of the stars (LotR/377). The first element of this name is the verb tinta- “to kindle” (SA/tin, MR/388), and the second element is the feminine agental suffix -llë (PE17/69).

Conceptual Development: The name ᴹQ. Tintalle appears in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (LR/200, 212), as well as in The Etymologies (Ety/TIN). In The Etymologies, the variant form ᴹQ. Tintánie “star-maker, star-making” also appeared (Ety/TIN, TAN; EtyAC/TAN), which seems to be a combination of the roots ᴹ√TIN “sparkle” and ᴹ√TAN “make” with the abstract noun ending ᴹQ. -ie; this name did not appear in the narratives, however.

In Notes on Galadriel’s Song (NGS) from the late 1950s or early 1960s, Tolkien considered and rejected the root √TAN “construct” as an element in the name Tintallë (PE17/69). After this rejection, he decided that the final element -lle was a feminine agental suffix, but this unfortunately clashed with the contemporaneous 2nd-plural pronominal suffix -llë “you”. Tolkien considered changing Varda’s title to Tintalde to avoid this conflict (PE17/69). In later writings, he revised the 2nd-plural pronoun to -ldë instead (VT49/16, 51), which allowed Tintallë to stand unchanged.

Elatan

star-man

Elatan, masc. name *"Star-man", cf. atan (UT:210)

Elemmírë

star-jewel

Elemmírë noun *"Star-jewel" (elen + míre, notice assimilation nm > mm), name of a star/planet (possibly Mercury, MR:435, where the spelling used is Elemmirë); also name of an Elf. (SA:mîr)

Elenarda

star-kingdom

Elenarda place-name "Star-kingdom", upper sky (3AR). Deleted material in the Etymologies defined elenarda as "star-realm", "upper air or sky" (VT45:16). Compare elen, (h)arda.

Elendil

star-friend

Elendil masc. name"Star-friend", "Lover or student of stars", applied to those devoted to astronomical lore. However, when the Edain used this name they intended it to mean "Elf-friend", confusing elen "star" and elda "elf" (WJ:410). (This idea that the name was misapplied seems to be late; Tolken earlier interpreted the name as an ancient compound Eled + ndil so that the meaning really was "Elf-friend"; see Letters:386. See also NIL/NDIL in the Etymologies, where Elendil is equated with "Ælfwine", Elf-friend.) Allative Elendilenna "to Elendil" (PM:401); Elendil Vorondo genitive of Elendil Voronda "Elendil the Steadfast" _(CO) Pl. Elendili the Númenórean Elf-friends (Silm)_; the variant Elendilli in SD:403 would seem to presuppose a stem-form Elendill- not attested elsewhere. Tar-Elendil a Númenorean king, UT:210.

Elendur

star-servant

Elendur masc. name, "Star-servant", probably intended to mean "Elf-servant"; in effect a variant of Elendil(Appendix A). The name was also used in Númenor (UT:210).

Elentári

star-queen

Elentári noun "Star-queen", title of Varda (EL, SA:tar)

Elenwë

star-person

Elenwë fem. name *"Star-person" (Silm)

Elerondo

star-vault

*Elerondo masc_. _name "Star-vault", Sindarin Elrond. Extrapolated from Elerondiel "daughter of Elrond", patronym of Arwen (PE17:56); cf. Elerossë, rondo.

Elerossë

star foam

Elerossë masc. name, "star foam", starlit foam, Sindarin Elros(PM:348)

Elerína

star-crowned

Elerína adj. used as noun:"star-crowned", a name of Taniquetil (EL, RIG), spelt Elerrína in Silm

Elwë

star-person

Elwë masc. name, *"Star-person" (PM:340, WJ:369, WEG, VT45:12). In the pre-classical Tengwar system presupposed in the Etymologies, Elwë was also the name of a Tengwa similar in form to Roman c, which in a full-vowel mode denoted a (short) e. (VT45:17; in the Sindarin "Mode of Beleriand", exemplified in the LotR itself, this letter has the value a instead. Elsewhere in the Etymologies itself, this symbol is called Ossë [q.v.] and is assigned the value o.)

Tinwerontar

star-queen, title of varda

[Tinwerontar] noun "star-queen, title of Varda" (TIN, TĀ/TA3)

Tinwerína

star-crowned

Tinwerína adj. used as noun: place-name "Star-crowned", variant of Elerrína as a name of Taniquetil (RIG, PE17:182)

Tinwetar

star-queen, queen of stars

[Tinwetar] noun "star-queen, Queen of Stars", title of Varda (TIN, TĀ/TA3)

elentirmo

masculine name. Star-watcher

Another name of Tar-Meneldur (UT/167, 213). This name is a compound elen “star” and otherwise unattested tirmo “watcher”.

an sí varda, tintallë, elentári ortanë máryat oiolossëo ve fanyar

for now Varda, Star-kindler, Star-queen [has] lifted up her (two) hands from Mount Everwhite like (white) clouds

The 9th and 10th phrases of the prose Namárië, corresponding to the 9th and 10th lines of the poem. They are combined here for purposes of discussion because Tolkien moved words between the two lines. Tolkien dramatically reorganized the text from the poetic version as follows:

> an sí Tintallë Varda Oiolossëo ve fanyar máryat Elentári ortanë >>

an sí Varda, Tintallë, Elentári ortanë máryat Oiolossëo ve fanyar

Tolkien grouped together the three names of Varda (Varda, Tintallë, Elentári) as the subject of the phrase. He moved the object máryat “her (two) hands” immediately after the verb, which is the usual Quenya word order. He also moved the two modifying clauses, Oiolossëo “from Mount Everwhite” and ve fanyar “like (white) clouds”, to the end.

The revised Quenya ordering would match the poetic English translation quite closely if the phrase “from Mount Everwhite” were moved closer to the end:

> “for now the Kindler, Varda, the Queen of the Stars from Mount Everwhite has uplifted her hands like clouds” »»»

“✱for now Varda, the Kindler, the Queen of the Stars has uplifted her hands from Mount Everwhite like clouds”

elendilmir

proper name. Star of Elendil

The jewel in the coronet of Arnor (LotR/1043). It is a compound of the name Elendil and the word mírë “jewel”.

elenya

noun. Saturday, *Star-day

éle

noun. star-ray, beam

elenna

place name. Starwards

Another name for Númenor (S/261), it was the allative form of elen “star”, and thus meant “Starwards”.

elvëa

adjective. starlike

An adjective meaning “starlike” (MC/223), appearing in its plural form elvië in the version of the Q. Markirya poem from the 1960s, in the phrase Q. rámainen elvië “on wings like stars” (MC/222). It is apparently a combination of archaic Q. †él “star” with an adjectival variant of Q. ve “like”.

Elenna

starwards

Elenna place-name "Starwards", a name of Númenor: Elenna-nórë *"Starwards-land", "the land named Starwards", genitive Elenna-nórëo in CO.

Ilma

starlight

Ilma noun "starlight" (GIL)

Ilmarë

starlight

Ilmarë noun "starlight", also fem. name, referring to a Maia (GIL, SA:ilm-)

capta-

startle

capta- ("k") vb. "startle", pa.t. cápë (QL:45)

elvëa

starlike, like stars

elvëa adj. "starlike, like stars", pl. elvië in Markirya

silmë

starlight

silmë noun "starlight", also name of tengwa #29 (Appendix E), though in the pre-classical Tengwar system presupposed in the Etymologies, the name silmë instead applied to tengwa #3 (VT46:13). Silmë nuquerna "_s reversed", name of tengwa #30, similar to normal silmë but turned upside down (Appendix E)_. In the Etymologies, stem SIL, silmë is defined as the "light of Silpion" (Telperion), and also a poetic word for "silver".

silmë

noun. starlight, starlight; [ᴹQ.] silver [light], moonlight, light of Silpion

A word for “starlight” and also the name of tengwa #29 [i] (LotR/1123), clearly derived from the root √SIL.

Conceptual Development: The earliest hint of this word was in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s where ᴱQ. silmea seems to be an adjective meaning “✱lunar” (QL/56). ᴱQ. silme also seems to be an adjectival element “gleaming, silver” in ᴱQ. silmerána “gleaming moon, silver moon” from the Oilima Markirya poem and its drafts from around 1930 (MC/220; PE16/75). In The Etymologies of the 1930s ᴹQ. silme was derived from primitive ᴹ✶silimē “light of Silpion, †silver” under the root ᴹ√SIL “shine silver” (Ety/SIL) and thus seems to mean “moonlight”. Indeed, silme had the gloss “moonlight” in notes on The Feanorian Alphabet from the 1930s and 40s (PE22/22, 51), where it was already the name of tengwa #29. It became “starlight” in Appendix E of The Lord of the Rings, however (LotR/1123), and elsewhere “moonlight” was isilmë (MC/223).

tindómë

starry twilight, starlit dusk

tindómë noun "starry twilight, starlit dusk" (DOMO, TIN, SA:tin), usually of the time near dawn, not near evening (SA:tin)

tinwë

spark

tinwë noun "spark" (gloss misquoted as "sparkle" in the Etymologies as printed in LR, see VT46:19), also "star"; pl. tinwi "sparks", properly used of the star-imagines on Nur-menel (q.v.). Cf. nillë. (TIN, MR:388) In early "Qenya", tinwë was simply glossed "star" (LT1:269, cf. MC:214). In one late source, the meaning of tinwë is given as "spark", and it is said that this word (like Sindarin gil) was used of the stars of heaven "in place of the older and more elevated el, elen- stem" (VT42:11).

elerrína

place name. Crowned with Stars

Another name of Taniquetil (S/37), a compound of elen “star” and rína “crowned”. The final -n of elen was assimilated to the r, which also happened in the names Elerondo and Elerossë.

Conceptual Development: This name first appeared in Silmarillion drafts from the early 1930s as ᴹQ. Tinwenairin (SM/81) using the earlier word ᴹQ. tinwe for star. In drafts from the mid-30s the name was changed to ᴹQ. Tinwerína and then ᴹQ. Elerína (LR/209, 210). Both of these names appeared in The Etymologies, Tinwerína as a derivative of ᴹ√RIG (Ety/RIG) and Elerína in a later marginal note near ᴹ√EL (Ety/EL). The form was changed to Elerrína with two r’s in Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s (MR/154) and remain so thereafter, though Tinwerína briefly reappeared in some notes from the 1950s (PE17/182).

ilthániel

feminine name. *Starkindler

A rejected cognate of S. Gilthoniel (PE17/23). It is derived from a combination of ✶gillē “silver glint, star”, the root √THAN “kindle” and the feminine suffix -iel, but Tolkien revised its initial element to ✶ñgillē (> Q. nillë), rendering this name invalid. Elsewhere, the usual Quenya equivalent of S. Gilthoniel is given as Q. Tintallë.

yesta

noun. beginning, beginning, *start

@@@ gloss “start” suggested by Robert Reynolds

Elerrína

crowned with stars

Elerrína adj. used as noun: "Crowned with Stars" (elen + rína), a name of Taniquetil (Silm); spelt Elerína in the Etymologies (EL, RIG).

ëarel

noun. starfish, (lit.) sea-star

A neologism for “starfish” by Delle posted on 2023-05-08 in the Vinyë Lambengolmor Discord Server (VLDS), a combination of ëar “sea” and él “star”.

tinwerúmë

noun. starling, (lit.) abundance of stars

A neologism for “starling” coined by Tamas Ferencz, a combination of Q. tinwë “star” and Q. -úmë “large, of quantity”, hence more literally “abundance of stars”.

-li

the elves

-li partitive pl. ending (simply called a plural suffix in the Etymologies, stem LI). The ending is used to indicate a plural that is neither generic (e.g. Eldar "the Elves" as a race) nor definite (preceded by article); hence Eldali is used for "some Elves" (a particular group of Elves, when they are first mentioned in a narrative, VT49:8). Sometimes Tolkien also lets -li imply a great number; in PE17:129, the form falmalinnar from _Namárië _is broken down as falma-li-nnar "foam wave-many-towards-pl. ending", and falmali by itself Tolkien translated "many waves" (PE17:73). A distinct accusative in -lī seems to occur in the phrase an i falmalī (PE17:127, apparently meaning the same as i falmalinnar, but replacing the allative ending with a preposition). Genitive -lion in vanimálion, malinornélion (q.v. for reference), allative -linna and -linnar in falmalinnar, q.v. The endings for other cases are only known from the Plotz letter: possessive -líva, dative -lin, locative -lissë or -lissen, ablative -lillo or -lillon, instrumental -línen, "short locative" -lis. When the noun ends in a consonant, r and n is assimilated before l, e.g. Casalli as the partitive pl. of Casar "Dwarf" (WJ:402), or elelli as the partitive pl. of elen "star" (PE17:127). It is unclear whether the same happens in monosyllabic words, or whether a connecting vowel would be slipped in before -li (e.g. ?queneli or ?quelli as the partitive pl. of quén, quen- "person").

Eldandil

elf-friend

Eldandil (pl. Eldandili in WJ:412) noun "Elf-friend" (by the Edain confused with Elendil, properly "Star-friend") (WJ:410)

Elessar

elf-stone

Elessar masc. name "Elf-stone" (Elen + sar, actually "Star-stone", cf. Elendil concerning elen "star" being used to mean "Elf") (LotR3:V ch. 8). Genitive Elesarno _(VT49:28, read _Elessarno?) indicates that the stem is -sarn-. As a common noun, elessar or "elf-stone" may signify "beryl" (in the chapter Flight to the Ford in the LotR, Aragorn finds "a single pale-green jewel" and declares: "It is a beryl, an elf-stone"). Elessar as a name may also be seen as a pun or variant of Elesser "Elf-friend".

Tintanië

kindler

Tintanië noun "Kindler" = Varda (TIN; Tintánië under TAN, which according to VT46:17 Tolkien interpreted both as "Star-maker" and "Star-making")

lúmë

time

lúmë (1) noun "time" (LU, PE17:168) or "hour", locative lúmessë (VT43:34), pl. locative lúmissen "at the times" (VT49:47), allative lúmenna "upon the hour", elided lúmenn' in the greeting elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo "a star shines upon the hour of our meeting", because the next word begins with a similar vowel. The complete form lúmenna omentielvo is found in WJ:367 and Letters:425 (footnote). Cf. also the compounds lumenyárë and lúmequenta, q.v.; see also #sillumë.

rómen

east

rómen, Rómen noun "east" (RŌ, MEN, SA:men), "uprising, sunrise, east" (SA:rómen); also name of tengwa #25 (Appendix E). Possessive form rómenwa (PE17:59).Variant hrómen, PE17:18. Rómenna, a place in the eastern part of Númenor, is simply the allative "eastward" (SA:rómen), cf. also rómenna in LR:47, 56. Ablative Rómello "from the East" or "[to one] from the East", hence Tolkien's translation "to those from the East" in his rendering of Namárië (Nam, RGEO:67, PE17:59; Romello with a short o in VT49:32). Masc. name Rómendacil "East-victor" (Appendix A; cf. Letters:425). Masc. name Rómestámo, Róme(n)star "East-helper" (PM:384, 391; probably ?Rómenstar must always become Rómestar, but Tolkien cited the form as Róme(n)star to indicate the connection with rómen "east")

ilma Reconstructed

proper name. Starlight

An (archaic?) name for “Starlight”, it is not directly attested in Tolkien’s later writing, but appears as an element in several names (SA/ilm). It is a derivative of the root √(Ñ)GIL “shine (white)”. Elsewhere, the usual Quenya word for “starlight” is given as silmë (LotR/1123).

Conceptual Development: ᴱQ. ilma “air” appeared in Early Qenya Word-lists of the 1920s (PE16/142). The name ᴹQ. Ilma “Starlight” is directly attested in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (LR/205), where it first appeared as Silma (SM/240). Ilma also appeared in The Etymologies as a derivative of ᴹ√GIL (Ety/GIL), which is the source of the etymology noted above.

elerrimbë

 noun. starry host; host of stars

yesta-

verb. to begin, to begin, *start

@@@ gloss “start” suggested by Robert Reynolds

patu-

verb. to step to it, start off, start walking

@@@ from Discord 2022-02-28

saitya-

verb. to starve

tirmë

noun. steadfast regard, stare, *gaze

@@@ modified to avoid conflict with past tense of tir-

-ion

son (of), descendant

-ion (patronymic ending) "son (of), descendant" (YŌ/YON, LT1:271, LT2:344). Not to be confused with the genitive ending -on when added to words with nominative plurals in -i, e.g. elenion "of stars" vs. eleni "stars".

Tintallë

kindler

Tintallë noun "Kindler", a title of Varda who kindled the stars (TIN, Nam, RGEO:67). From tinta- "kindle, make to sparkle" (MR:388). According to PE17:69, the form "should be Tintalde", apparently because -llë was at the time the ending for plural "you" and Tintallë could be taken as meaning *"you kindle" rather than as a noun "Kindler". However, Tolkien later changed the pronominal suffix, eliminating the clash of forms while leaving Tintallë correct (after the revision, it was *tintaldë itself that would be the verb "you kindle").

lómë

dusk, twilight

lómë noun "dusk, twilight", also "night"; according to SD:415, the stem is lómi- (contrast the "Qenya" genitive lómen rather than **lómin in VT45:28). According to PE17:152, lómë refers to night "when viewed favourably, as a rule, but it became the general rule" (cf. SD:414-415 regarding lōmi as an Adûnaic loan-word based on lómë, meaning "fair night, a night of stars" with "no connotations of gloom or fear"). In the battle-cry auta i lómë "the night is passing" (Silm. ch. 20), the "night" would however seem to refer metaphorically to the reign of Morgoth. As for the gloss, cf. Lómion masc. name "Child of Twilight [dusk]", the Quenya name Aredhel secretly gave to Maeglin _(SA). Otherwise lómë is usually defined as "night" (Letters:308, LR:41, SD:302 cf.414-15, SA:dú)_; the _Etymologies defines lómë as "Night [as phenomenon], night-time, shades of night, Dark" (DO3/DŌ, LUM, DOMO, VT45:28), or "night-light" (VT45:28, reading of _lómë uncertain). In early "Qenya" the gloss was "dusk, gloom, darkness" (LT1:255). Cf. lómelindëpl. lómelindi "nightingale" _(SA:dú, LR:41; SD:302, MR:172, DO3/DŌ, LIN2, TIN). _Derived adjective #lómëa "gloomy" in Lómëanor "Gloomyland"; see Taurelilómëa-tumbalemorna...

tári

queen

tári noun "queen", used especially of Varda (TĀ/TA3, LT1:264), etymologically "she that is high" (SA:tar). Dative tárin in the Elaine inscription (VT49:40), genitive tário in Namárië. Elentári "Starqueen", a title of Varda. (Nam, RGEO:67). Tarinya "my queen" (UT:179; sic, not *tárinya). Táris or tárissë "queenship" (PE17:155)

yesta

beginning

yesta (2) noun "beginning" (PE17:120). Also attested in the compound yestarë (see below), but cf. esta #2.

Elemmírë

Elemmírë

Elemmírë means "star-jewel". It's a compound from elen and mírë. The letters n+m from both words are assimilated to long mm

eldandil

masculine name. Elf-friend

A term meaning “Elf-friend”, but implying an interest in them as a subject of lore (WJ/412). This name is a compound of Elda “Elf” and the suffix -(n)dil “-friend”.

tári

noun. queen, queen, [ᴱQ.] mistress, lady

yestië

noun. beginning

-ldë

kindler

-ldë (2) feminine agental suffix. Tolkien at one point commented that Vardas title Tintallë "Kindler" should be Tintaldë because the ending -llë was rather the suffix for plural "you" (PE17:69). Since this pronominal suffix -llë was later revised to -ldë, it is now the ending of Tintaldë itself that would be potentially problematic.

Ambalar

east

Ambalar noun "East" (MC:221; this is "Qenya")

Quende#

noun. Elf

Elf

Quendendil

elf-friend

Quendendil (also contracted Quendil; pl. Quendili in WJ:410) masc. name "Elf-friend" (WJ:410)

Rómë

east

Rómë noun "east", variant of Rómen (PE17:59). Possessive romeva (read rómeva?), genitive rómeö (Ibid.)

essë

beginning

essë (3) noun "beginning" (ESE/ESET). This entry was marked by a query in Etym, and a word in the appendices to LotR suggests that it was emended to *YESE/YESET; we may therefore read *yessë for essë. (See esta #2.) However, for the purposes of writing the form yesta "beginning" from PE17:120 may be preferred.

histë

dusk

histë noun "dusk" (LT1:255)

hrómen

east

hrómen noun "east", variant of the more common Rómen, q.v. (PE17:18)

hísë

dusk

hísë (2) noun "dusk" (LT1:255). A "Qenya" form possibly obsoleted by #1 above.

lú

time, occasion

lú noun "a time, occasion" (LU)

norna

stiff, tough; hard, firm, resistant

norna adj. "stiff, tough; hard, firm, resistant" (WJ:413, PE17:106), "thrawn, tough, obdurate", mainly applied to persons (PE17:181)

quendil

masculine name. Elf-friend

A term translated as “Elf-friend” (WJ/410), but more accurately describing those concerned with the lore of Elven-kind (WJ/412). This name is a compound Quendë “Elf” and the suffix -(n)dil “friend”. It also appear in the longer form Quendendil.

quendë

elf

quendë noun "Elf", the little-used analogical sg. of Quendi, q.v. (KWEN(ED), WJ:361)

róna

east

róna adj.? "east" (RŌ). Compare hróna.

sinyë

evening

sinyë (þ) noun "evening" (THIN)

tauca

stiff, wooden

tauca ("k") "stiff, wooden" (PE17:115)

turinqui

queen

turinqui ("q") noun "queen" (LT1:260; apparently the fem. of tur. In Tolkien's later Quenya, "queen" is tári.)

usque

noun. dusk

dusk

usque

noun. dusk, twilight

varni

queen

varni noun "queen" (LT1:273; rather tári in Tolkien's later Quenya)

vinyë

evening

[vinyë noun "evening" (VT46:21)]

rianna

noun. queen

yessë

noun. beginning

el

noun. star

geil

noun. star

argilion

noun. *Star-day

eledh

noun. Star-folk, Elf

elros

masculine name. Star-foam

elwing

feminine name. Star-spray

gilthoniel

feminine name. Star-maker, Lady of the Stars

geil

noun. star, bright spark

tinw

noun. spark, small star

tinfang

masculine name. Starbeard

A great minstrel of the Elves with the sobriquet Gelion appearing in the Lays of Beleriand from the 1920s and the earliest Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (LB/174, SM/113). His name is gloss “Starbeard” in The Etymologies, a combination of tint “star” and fang “beard” (Ety/SPÁNAG, EtyAC/TIN).

Conceptual Development: In the earliest Lost Tales, G. Tinfang was had the sobriquet Warble and was a half-fey creature who was a fluter for the Valar (LT1/94-5). In the Gnomish Lexicon from the 1910s, his name was simply glossed “The Fluter” (GL/70). It seems he was reconceived as an Elf in the Lays of Beleriand, as noted above. This character disappeared from the narratives starting with the Silmarillion drafts from mid-30s.

gilith

noun. starlight, *region of the stars

A word in The Etymologies of the 1930s glossed “starlight” under the root ᴹ√GIL “shine (white or pale)” with variant forms Gilith and {?Gilwen >>} Gilfen (Ety/GIL; EtyAC/GIL). Elsewhere in The Etymologies, Tolkien compared gilith to N. gwilith “air as a region” and equated it to ᴹQ. Ilmen (Ety/WIL), so it seems Tolkien also intended it to mean “region of the stars”, though Gilfen is more likely as the direct cognate of ᴹQ. Ilmen.

elrond

masculine name. Starry-dome, Sky

gil-galad

masculine name. Starlight

gilgalad

noun. starlight

tindu

noun. starry twilight

tinnu

noun. starry twilight

tindobel

place name. Twilit City, Starlit City

Earliest name of Barad Nimras in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (SM/331; LR/129, 265). It appeared in The Etymologies with the gloss “Twilit City, Starlit City”, a combination of tinnu “twilight” and the lenited form of gobel “town” (Ety/PEL(ES), TIN).

tint

noun. spark

tint

noun. spark

giliath

noun. all the host of stars

gildin

noun. silver spark

A noun in The Etymologies of the 1930s glossed “silver spark”, a combination of the root ᴹ√GIL and ᴹ√TIN (Ety/TIN). Presumably this refers to stars, since both roots also have derivatives referring to stars.

bereth

noun. queen

amrûn

noun. east, orient

bereth

noun. queen, spouse

edhel

noun. Elf

elfaron

proper name. Sky-hunter

A Noldorin name the Moon glossed “Sky-hunter” appearing in The Etymologies from the 1930s, a combination of ell “sky” and faron “hunter” (Ety/SPAR, EtyAC/SPAR).

gildin

noun. silver spark

golodh

noun. "Deep Elf" or "Gnome", one of the Wise Folk

golodhrim

noun. Deep Elves, Gnomes

gwîn

noun. evening

lhû

noun. a time, occasion

penedh

noun. Elf

penn

noun. Elf

rhufen

noun. east

rhîs

noun. queen

rhîs

noun. queen

rhûn

noun. east

thîn

noun. evening

thîn

noun. evening

tindu

noun. dusk, twilight, early night (without Moon)

tinnu

noun. dusk, twilight, early night (without Moon)

elen

noun. star

él

noun. star

ella

noun/adjective. Elf

ello

noun. Elf

igmil

noun. star-shaped figure

This noun is another singular variation of the collective-noun gimil “(all) stars”, used for a “star-shaped figure” (SD/427) instead of an actual star which is gimli.

gimilnitîr

feminine name. Star-kindler

A title of the goddess Avradî (Q. Varda) translated “Star-kindler” (SD/428), and therefore the Adûnaic equivalent of S. Gilthoniel. The first element gimil means “stars”, and the second is an agental-formation for the verb nitir- “to kindle” (SD/427-8).

gimilzôr

masculine name. Star-?foam

Gimilzôr was the Adûnaic name of Elros (SD/380) in the story “The Notion Club Papers” from the mid-1940s. Since the element gimil means “stars”, this name is most likely a translation of the Sindarin name, which means “Star-foam”.

In later writings, Gimilzôr is the son of Ar-Sakalthôr and the 23rd ruler of Númenor, whose Quenya name was Tar-Telemnar (S/268). It is unclear whether this instance of Gimilzôr retains the same meaning as the earlier version of the name. It is possible that the later version has the same meaning as Telemnar (translated by most authors as “Silver-fire”), in which case Tolkien may also have revised the Adûnaic name of Elros (the word for “foam” was elsewhere given as Ad. roth). Alternately, it could be that the Adûnaic and Quenya names are unrelated, and Tar-Telemnar simply adopted the Adûnaic name of his illustrious ancestor.

Andreas Moehn suggested (EotAL/KH-B-L) that if Gimilzôr means “Silver-fire”, its initial element gimil “silver” could be a cognate of Dwarvish kibil. Carl Hostetter and Patrick Wynne suggested (AAD/11) that his Quenya name Telemnar contains adjective ᴹQ. telemna “of silver”, and does not involve “fire” at all.

Conceptual Development: As a name for Eärendil, this name first appeared as Indilzar (SD/363).

gimli

noun. star (in the sky)

A noun translated “star” (SD/431) or “star (in the sky)” (SD/427), and fully declined on SD/431 as an example of a Strong II noun.

azar

noun. star (draft)

Christopher Tolkien mentions this as a noun meaning “star” from early and unpublished materials related to “The Notion Club Papers” stories (PM/372). It may be an element in the early Adûnaic name Indilzar for Elros. As Indilzar was replaced by Gimilzôr, it is likely that azar was replaced by gimli and gimil, which are well attested in later writings.

gimlad

place name. Starwards

Another name for Númenor translated “Starwards” (SD/378), the equivalent of Q. Elenna. Its first element is gimil “stars” with the Adûnaic syncope and its second element is the suffix -ad (-ada) “toward”, as suggested by Carl Hostetter and Patrick Wynne (AAD/15).

nimruzîr

noun. Elf-friend

A noun meaning “Elf-friend”, attested only in the (subjective) plural form Nimruzîrim (PM/151). It is identical to the Adûnaic name Nimruzîr of Q. Elendil, which had the same meaning.

Conceptual Development: An earlier name for the faithful Númenóreans was Avaltiri (SD/347).

Danas

noun. Green-elves, Nandor

In Etym derived from the stem DAN (LR:353), simply defined as an "element found in names of the Green-elves", and tentatively compared to NDAN "back" (since the Nandor "turned back" and did not complete the march to the Sea). Tolkien's later view on the derivation of the name of the Green-elves, as set down in WJ:412, is that the stem dan- and its strengthened form ndan- do indeed have a similar meaning: these forms have to do with "the reversal of an action, so as to undo or nullify its effect", and a primitive form ndandô, "one who goes back on his word or decision", is suggested. However, it seems unlikely that the Nandor would have called themselves by such a name, and indeed Tolkien in WJ:385 states that "this people still called themselves by the old clan-name Lindai [= Quenya Lindar], which had at that time taken the form Lindi in their tongue". It may be, then, that Tolkien had rejected the idea that the Nandor called themselves Danas. - As for the ending -as, it is probably to be compared to the Sindarin class plural ending -ath; indeed a Sindarin ("Noldorin") form Danath evidently closely corresponding to Danas is given in LR:353.

cwenda

noun. elf

A doubtful word according to Tolkien's later conception; in the branch of Eldarin that Nandorin belongs to, primitive KW became P far back in Elvish linguistic history [WJ:375 cf. 407 note 5]. This was not a problem in Tolkien's earlier conception, in which the Danians came from the host of the Noldor, not the Teleri [see PM:76; the idea of the Nandor being of Noldorin origin also occurs in VT47:29]. In his later version of Nandorin, the word cwenda is probably best ignored; simply emending it to *penda would produce a clash with primitive pendâ "sloping" [cf. WJ:375].

In the Etymologies, Tolkien derived cwenda from kwenedê "elf" (stem KWEN(ED) of similar meaning, LR:366; as for the shift of original final -ê to Nandorin -â, compare hrassa "precipice" from khrassê). But later the primitive word that yielded Quenya Quende was reconstructed as kwende (WJ:360).

No certain example shows how original short final -e comes out in Nandorin, so we cannot say whether kwende is also capable of yielding cwenda, ignoring the question of kw failing to become p.

galadrim

noun. Elves of Lothlórien

Note: "The Galadrim were 'Tree-people' (though the formation is Sindarin, + S [rim] = Q rimbë, great number) = true Sindarin galadhrim."