galadh

noun. tree

The basic Sindarin word for “tree” (LotR/1113), derived from primitive ✶galadā and very well attested. This word dates back at least to The Etymologies of the 1930s, where N. galadh “tree” appeared under the root ᴹ√GALAD (Ety/GALAD). See also orn “(tall) tree” of similar meaning.

Conceptual Development: Gnomish of the 1910s had some earlier version of this “tree” word: G. galdon >> alwen “tree” in the Name-list to the Fall of Gondolin (PE15/24) and archaic/poetic G. †alwen “tree” in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s (GL/19), the latter probably from the early root ᴱ√ALA “spread” that was the basis for ᴱQ. alda “tree” (QL/29).

galadh

tree

{ð} n. tree. In Sindarin, there was no much distinction in size between galað and orn. A galað was more thick, dense and branching than a orn. Birch, ash and oak are of the orn kind. Q. alda. >> orn

oron

noun. tree

n. Bot. tree. Also in compound -(o)rŏnō. >> orn

galadh

tree

_n. Bot._tree, like oak (nordh) and beech. A galadh was more thick, dense and branching than a orn. In Sindarin, there was no much distinction in size between galað and orn. A galað was more thick, dense and branching than a orn. Birch, ash and oak are of the orn kind. Q. alda. >> orn

galadh

noun. tree

belegorn

masculine name. *Great-tree

The 4th ruling steward of Gondor (LotR/1039). This name appears to be a compound of beleg “mighty” and orn “tree” (SA/beleg, gaer; PM/363).

Conceptual Development: In drafts of the Lord of the Rings appendices, this name first appeared as Bardhan and Belgorn (PM/219).

celeborn

masculine name. Silver-tree; Silver Tall

The husband of Galadriel and ruler of Lórien. His name can variously be interpreted as “Silver-tree” (NM/349) or “Silver-tall” (NM/352). His hair was silver (LotR/354), which may have been an aspect of his name as Galadriel’s golden hair was of hers.

Possible Etymology: The etymology of Celeborn’s name is a bit confused, since Tolkien changed his mind on its meaning. It is very likely when Tolkien invented the name he interpretted it as “Silver-tree”, a compound of S. celeb “silver” and orn “tree”, and that was the meaning Tolkien initially gave it in notes from 1968 (NM/349). But in later these notes, he decided that the second element of the name was derived from ancient ✶ornā “tall” (NM/350), so that the meaning of these name was actually “Silver-tall” (NM/352 note #8).

In The Lord of the Rings and the published version of The Silmarillion, Celeborn was a kinsman of Thingol in Doriath and therefore a Sindarin elf, and Galadriel met him in Beleriand (LotR/1082, S/115). However, in the aformentioned 1968 note and other writings from this period, Celeborn was a Telerin of Valinor and came with Galadriel to Middle-earth (NM/349-352; UT/233; PM/347). In this revised scenario, we have the clearest explanations of both Celeborn’s and Galadriel’s names, ultimately derived from the Telerin names T. Teleporno and T. Alatáriel, respectively. However, this scenario clashes badly with the narratives in the published Silmarillion.

Even if you assume that Celeborn was Sindarin, his name could still be “derived” from T. Teleporno in the sense that it was derived from the Ancient Telerin name of the same meaning. In this scenario, Galadriel could have gotten her Telerin name Alatáriel due to the influence of her mother Eärwen, who was herself Telerin.

Conceptual Development: See N. Keleborn for a discussion of earlier forms of this name.

galadhremmen

adjective. tree-meshed

An adjective meaning “tree-meshed” appearing in the A Elbereth Gilthoniel poem in its plural form galadhremmin (LotR/238). It was a combination of galadh “tree” and remmen “meshed” (PE17/25-26). This word is probably poetic, not in common use.

galadhrim

collective name. Tree-people

A name for the Elves of Lórien translated “Tree-people” (LotR/341). This name is a combination galadh “tree” and the class-plural suffix -rim often used in the names of peoples (Let/426, PE17/50).

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s and in the 1st edition of Lord of the Rings, this name appeared as N. Galadrim as part of Tolkien’s general trend to simplify dh [ð] to d (TI/239, RC/305). In the 2nd edition he restored the proper Sindarin form Galadhrim, deciding that Galadrim was the Nandorin form (PE17/50).

galathilion

proper name. White Tree

A tree in Tirion made after Telperion and translated “White Tree” (S/59). It may be a combination of galadh “tree” and the root THIL “shine silver” (SA/sil). The final element seems to be the patronymic suffix -ion, the last of these perhaps indicating its decent from Telperion.

Conceptual Development: In Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s, N. Galathilion was another name for Telperion (LR/209). In The Etymologies it was glossed the “White Tree of Valinor” and had the derivation given above (Ety/BAL, GALAD, THIL), though the final element -ion was not explained. In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, it was glossed “Silver Cherry”, but as Christopher Tolkien pointed out, this was not its actual meaning (RS/187).

hírilorn

place name. Tree of the Lady

A great beech-tree in Doriath (S/172), translated by Christopher Tolkien as “Tree of the Lady” (SI/Hírilorn). This name is a combination of híril “lady” and orn “tree” (SA/heru, orn).

Conceptual Development: In the earliest Lost Tales, the tree was first named G. Golosbrindi “Queen of the Forest” (LT2/51), revised to G. Hirilorn “Queen of Trees” (LT2/18). In the Lays of Beleriand from the 1920s, the name was translated “Beechen Queen” (LB/202). In The Etymologies from the 1930s, Ilk. Hirilorn was given as a Doriathrin name, most likely with the same meaning as above (Ety/NEL).

mallorn

noun. gold tree, yellow tree

Name of the golden trees of Lórien (LotR/346).

Possible Etymology: In notes on Words, Phrases and Passages from the Lord of the Rings (WPP) from the late 1950s or early 1960s, Tolkien considered a couple etymologies for this word. Initially he derived this word as a combination of malt “gold” and orn “tree”, saying it was “a later Sindarin word (since in earlier times the word malta was only used literally of the metal ‘gold’): older form malh-orn with long voiceless l” (PE17/51). He then considered it as the equivalent of Q. malinornë or maldorne where the initial element was based on ✶malnā “yellow”, with ln becoming ll in Sindarin as opposed to becoming ld in Quenya (PE17/51).

This second etymology seems to have been a transient idea. In notes from the late 1960s Tolkien said: “in The Lord of the Rings ll is used in the manner of modern Welsh for the medial voiceless l; as in mallorn < malhorn < malþorn < malt ‘gold’ and orn ‘tree’ (VT42/27)”. Thus mallorn is the best example of how ancient lt became ll (via lþ) in Sindarin. Whether or not the ll was voiceless in modern Sindarin is an open question, however; in other places Tolkien said ll was eventually voiced (PE17/131).

Conceptual Development: This word was already N. mallorn when it first appeared in Lord of the Rings drafts of the 1940s (TI/226).

melthinorn

proper name. Tree of Gold

A name of Laurelin translated “Tree of Gold” (MR/155), apparently a combination of a variant form of the adjective [N.] malthen “of gold” and orn “tree” (Ety/SMAL). The initial adjective melthin- appears to be plural, though the reason why is unclear since the second element is obviously singular.

Conceptual Development: The name N. Melthinorn appeared in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (LR/30). It also appears in The Etymologies, which is the source of the derivation above (Ety/SMAL). In the same entry, there is an archaic form †Mellinorn, apparently containing a plural of N. mallen.

orod-na-thôn

place name. Mount of the Pine Tree(s)

A mountain in Dorthonion (LotR/469) translated “Pine-mountain” (RC/384) or “Mount of the Pine Tree(s)” (PE17/147). This name is a combination of orod “mountain”, na(n) “of” and thôn “pine-tree” (PE17/82).

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, this name first appeared as (singular) N. Orod Thon >> (plural) N. Orod Thuin (TI/420), omitting the na “of”.

thôn

noun. pine-tree

The Sindarin word for “pine-tree”, most notably as an element in the names Dorthonion “Land of Pines” and Orod-na-Thôn “Mount of the Pine Tree(s)”. Tolkien gave it as thôn < ✶stŏna in a 1955 letter to David Masson (PE17/82) and as {thaun >>} thôn in notes on Words, Phrases and Passages from the Lord of the Rings (WPP) from the late 1950s or early 1960s, derived from {✶stāna >> ✶thānĭ- >>} ✶thŏno (PE17/81).

Conceptual Development: The Etymologies of the 1930s had N. thaun “pine-tree” under the root ᴹ√THŌN of the same meaning (Ety/THŌN). Likely the vowel in this root was a fronted ǭ, which became au in both Sindarin and Noldorin.

In the 1910s and 20s, the “pine-tree” word was ᴱN./G. aigos, first glossed {“cheshnut tree”} in Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s (GL/17), with a variant form G. aiguis in the Gnomish Lexicon Slips (PE13/108), and simply as ᴱN. aigos “pine-tree” in Early Noldorin Word-lists of the 1920s (PE13/136, 158). It was replaced by thaun/thôn in Tolkien’s later writing, as noted above.

Hírilorn

noun. lady-tree

híril (“lady”) + orn (“tree”)

mallorn

noun. golden tree

mall (“golden, of gold”) + orn (“tree”)

Bregalad

noun. 'quick tree'

prop. n. Bot. 'quick (lively) tree', Quickbeam. Tolkien notes that "_Quicken _or Quickbeam are actual names of 'rowan' or 'mountain-ash' = German Vogelbeere, Vogelbeerbaum.

Fangorn

noun. Beard of Tree

_ prop. n. _Beard of Tree. >> orn

Orod na Thôn

place name. 'Mount with Pine Tree'

topon. 'Mount with Pine Tree(s)'. >> na, orod, thôn

galadhremmen

tree-tangled

pl1. galadhremmin {ð} adj. tree-tangled. _o galadh-remmin ennorath _lit. 'from tree-tangled middlelands'. Q. aldarembina.

galadhrim

noun. 'Tree-people'

pl2. n. 'Tree-people'. True S. form of Galadrim. >> Galadrim

galadrim

noun. 'Tree-people'

pl2. n. 'Tree-people'. Sylvan word, true S. Galadhrim. >> Galadhrim

huorn

noun. ? tree

n. ? tree. The question mark is in the manuscript. >> hû

lebethron

noun. a tree - its black wood was used by the woodwrights of Gondor

In the original manuscript, one of the earlier (rejected) form of this name was lebendron. Didier Willis proposed the etymology lebed+doron "finger-oak", actually a real tree name (Finger Oak or Quercus digitata)

lebethron

noun. name of a hard-wood tree growing in Gondor

n. Bot. name of a hard-wood tree growing in Gondor (Ithilien). Q lepetta. Also used as word for the wood which took a high polish, lebethorn being altered to lebethron and associated with RUN 'rub, grind, smooth, polish'. >> ron. This gloss was rejected.

mallorn

noun. 'golden-tree'

pl1. mellyrn** ** pl1. n.Bot.'golden-tree'. It was a gift from Gil-galad, who had the seed from Eressea (by way of Númenor). >> malh, mall

orn

a tall tree

_n. Bot._a tall tree. Birch, ash and oak are of the orn kind. In Sindarin, there was no much distinction in size between galað and orn. A galað was more thick, dense and branching than a orn. Birch, ash and oak are of the orn kind. Q. orne. >> Fangorn, galadh, nordh

brethil

noun. beech, beech-tree, silver birch

ereg

noun. holly-tree, thorn

galadhremmen

adjective. tree-woven, tree-tangled

lalorn

noun. elm-tree

lalwen

noun. elm-tree

malhorn

noun. golden tree of Lothlórien

mallorn

noun. golden tree of Lothlórien

malthorn

noun. golden tree of Lothlórien

orn

noun. (any large) tree

tathar

noun. willow-tree

thôn

noun. pine-tree

fangorn

masculine name. Treebeard

Sindarin name of Treebeard (LotR/464), more literally translated “beard-(of)-tree” (LotR/1131, PE17/84). His name is a combination of fang “beard” and orn “tree” (SA/orn, PE17/84).

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, his name also appeared as N. Fangorn “Treebeard” (TI/412).

galadh

tree

1) galadh (i **aladh), pl. gelaid (i ngelaidh = i ñelaidh) (Letters:426, SD:302). 2) orn (pl. yrn**). Note: a homophone means ”tall”.

galadh

tree

(i ’aladh), pl. gelaid (i ngelaidh = i ñelaidh) (Letters:426, SD:302).

orn

tree

(pl. yrn). Note: a homophone means ”tall”.

ecthelorn

noun. spruce, fir-tree

A neologism for “spruce, fir-tree” coined by Hialmr on VQP (VQP), a combination of [N.] ecthel “point” and orn “(tall) tree”.

lebethron

oak tree

. An unidentified tree (or its wood) is the lebethron.

mallorn

golden-tree

E (a species of tree specific to Middle-earth, apparently beech-like) mallorn (i vallorn), pl. mellyrn (i mellyrn).

neldor

beech tree

(pl. neldyr), also brethorn (i vrethorn), pl. brethyrn (i mrethyrn) (VT46:3). The mallorn or ”golden-tree” found in Lórien was supposedly beechlike: mallorn (i vallorn), pl. mellyrn (i mellyrn).

neldor

beech tree

neldor (pl. neldyr), also brethorn (i vrethorn), pl. brethyrn (i mrethyrn) (VT46:3). The mallorn or ”golden-tree” found in Lórien was supposedly beechlike: mallorn (i vallorn), pl. mellyrn (i mellyrn).

thôn

pine-tree

thôn (pl. thŷn, coll. pl. ?thonath). In the linguistic scenario of the Etymologies, the ”Noldorin” word for ”pine-tree” was thaun pl. thuin, and thôn was rather ”Ilkorin”. However, when Tolkien revised his legendarium so that Sindarin replaced Ilkorin as the native Elven-tongue of Beleriand, names like Dorthonion ”Land of Pines” must be interpreted as containing a Sindarin word for pine. Adj. #thonion ”having pine trees” (isolated from the name Dorthonion), pl. thonyn

thôn

pine-tree

(pl. th**ŷn, coll. pl. ?thonath). In the linguistic scenario of the Etymologies, the ”Noldorin” word for ”pine-tree” was thaun pl. thuin, and thôn was rather ”Ilkorin”. However, when Tolkien revised his legendarium so that Sindarin replaced Ilkorin as the native Elven-tongue of Beleriand, names like Dorthonion ”Land of Pines” must be interpreted as containing a Sindarin word for pine. Adj. #thonion ”having pine trees” (isolated from the name Dorthonion), pl. thonyn**

toss

low-growing tree

(bush) toss (i doss, o thoss, construct tos), pl. tyss (i thyss). Tolkien mentioned ”maple, hawthorn, blackthorn, holly, etc.” as examples of the low-growing trees covered by this word. Specific trees, see BEECH TREE, BIRTH TREE, ELM, ””,

toss

low-growing tree

(i** doss, o thoss, construct tos), pl. tyss (i** thyss). Tolkien mentioned ”maple, hawthorn, blackthorn, holly, etc.” as examples of the low-growing trees covered by this word. Specific trees, see

toss

low-growing tree

(bush) toss (i doss, o thoss, construct tos), pl. tyss (i thyss). Tolkien mentioned ”maple, hawthorn, blackthorn, holly, etc.” as examples of the low-growing trees covered by this word.

neldor

noun. beech

A Sindarin word for “beech” appearing in the names Taur-na-Neldor “Beech-forest” (LotR/469; RC/384) and Neldoreth, the name of a forest with beeches (S/55; PE17/81).

Conceptual Development: In The Etymologies of the 1930s, Ilk. neldor was an Ilkorin word based on ᴹ√NÉL-ED “three”, which Tolkien said was “properly name of Hirilorn the great beech of Thingol with three trunks = neld-orn ? [question mark from Tolkien]” (Ety/NEL). In the 1910s and 20s, ᴱQ. neldor “beech” was an Early Qenya word (PE16/139; QL/65), and its cognates in this period were G. deldron “beech” in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s (GL/30), G. deil(i)an or delwen “beech” in Gnomish Lexicon Slips (PE13/112), and ᴱN. {de(i)lian >>} deilian “beech-tree” in Early Noldorin Word-lists of the 1920s (PE13/142).

Possible Etymology: The Ilkorin derivation from √NELED is no longer suitable in Sindarin, since we would expect [[s|[d] > [ð]]] as in S. neledh “three”. It is possible Tolkien simply never reexamined the etymology of this word after it became Sindarin. Alternately, it could be nel- “tri-” + taur “forest” or -dor “-lord” or something similar.

aebin

noun. cherry (tree)

brethil

birch tree

1) brethil (i vrethil), pl. same as sg. except with article (i mrethil), coll. pl. ?brethiliath.

brethil

birch tree

(i vrethil), pl. same as sg. except with article (i mrethil), coll. pl. ?brethiliath. 

doron

oak tree

doron (i dhoron), pl. deryn (i neryn). In "Noldorin", the pl. was deren.

doron

oak tree

(i dhoron), pl. deryn (i neryn). In "Noldorin", the pl. was deren.

galadhremmen

tree-tangled

*galadhremmen (pl. galadhremmin) (word used to describe the woodlands of Middle-earth)

galadhremmen

tree-tangled

(pl. galadhremmin) (word used to describe the woodlands of Middle-earth)

huorn

walking tree of fangorn

(i chuorn, o chuorn), pl. huyrn (i chuyrn).

huorn

walking tree of fangorn

huorn (i chuorn, o chuorn), pl. huyrn (i chuyrn).

lalorn

noun. elm-tree

lalven

elm tree

lalven (also spelt lalwen), pl. lelvin (lelwin). Alternative form lalorn (pl. lelyrn), also short form lalf (pl. lelf according to LR:348 s.v. ÁLAM; David Salo would read Sindarin leilf to go with eilph ”swan”).

lebethron

oak tree

.

mallorn

golden-tree

(i vallorn), pl. mellyrn (i mellyrn).

nothlir

family tree

(family line); no distinct pl. form; coll. pl. nothliriath.

nothlir

family line, family tree

(no distinct pl. form; coll. pl. nothliriath)

nothlir

family line, family tree

nothlir (no distinct pl. form; coll. pl. nothliriath) Û-

nothlir

family tree

nothlir (family line); no distinct pl. form; coll. pl. nothliriath.

tulus

poplar tree

tulus (i dulus, o thulus), pl. tylys (i thylys)

alaf

noun. elm

The Sindarin word for “elm” appearing in notes from 1959, derived from the root √ALAB of similar meaning (PE17/153).

Conceptual Development: Tolkien used similar “elm” words for much of his life. The Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s had G. lalm or larm “an elm, elm-wood” along with a more elaborate form G. {lalmin >>} lalmir “an elm tree” (GL/52). These were clearly cognates to ᴱQ. alalme “elm (tree)” under the early root ᴱ√ALA “spread” (QL/29). Early Noldorin Word-lists of the 1920s had an unrelated form ᴱN. {aulin >>} ólin “elm” (PE13/151). In The Etymologies of the 1930s Tolkien reverted to N. lalf or N. lalven “elm-tree” under the root ᴹ√ÁLAM of the same meaning (Ety/ÁLAM). This root had a variant ᴹ√LÁLAM, under which Tolkien had N. lhalwen or lhalorn “elm-tree” (Ety/LÁLAM).

Neo-Sindarin: In theory the 1930s “elm” words might be used with some adaptations like ᴺS. lalorn for N. lhalorn, but I’d simply stick to the 1959 “elm” word alaf for purposes of Neo-Sindarin.

bellas

bodily strength

(i vellas), pl. bellais (i mellais) if there is a pl.

galadhon

of or related to trees

(lenited ‘aladhon, pl. galadhoen). Archaic ✱galadhaun. The latter is based on David Salo’s analysis of the name Caras Galadhon; others have interpreted the last word as some kind of genitive plural, maybe influenced by Silvan Elvish.

galadhrim

people of the trees

(Elves of Lórien). Adj.

mallorn

Mallorn

The word comes from malt ("gold") and orn ("tree"). In Gondor Sindarin the same word was pronounced Malthorn. Malinornë is the Quenya translation of Mallorn.

malad

gold

(as metal) 1) malad (i valad), pl. melaid (i melaid) if there is a pl. 2) malt (i valt), pl. melt (i melt) if there is a pl. (VT42:27). ”Gold” in extended senses: glawar (i **lawar) (sunlight, radiance of the Golden Tree Laurelin), pl. glewair (in glewair**) (VT41:10) GOLD (COLOUR?) *mall (i vall), pl. mail (i mail) if there is a pl. Suggested Sindarin form of ”Noldorin” malt.

malt

gold

(i valt), pl. melt (i melt) if there is a pl. (VT42:27). ”Gold” in extended senses: glawar (i ’lawar) (sunlight, radiance of the Golden Tree Laurelin), pl. glewair (in glewair) (VT41:10)

remmen

tangled

remmen (woven, netted), pl. #remmin attested (as part of the phrase galadhremmin ennorath, LotR Appendix E): TREE-TANGLED *galadhremmen (pl. galadhremmin) (word used to describe the woodlands of Middle-earth)

rêg

holly

rêg (construct reg) (thorn), pl. rîg (idh rîg). See also LOW-GROWING TREE

toss

bush

(low-growing tree) toss (i doss, o thoss, construct tos), pl. tyss (i thyss). Tolkien mentioned ”maple, hawthorn, blackthorn, holly, etc.” as examples of the low-growing trees covered by this word.

malt

noun. gold, gold (as metal)

A noun for “gold” based on the root √MALAT. The Etymologies of the 1930s specified that N. malt was “gold (as metal)” derived from the root ᴹ√SMAL “yellow” (Ety/SMAL). This is consistent with Tolkien’s later notes in which Q. malta was “gold (metal)”, as opposed to Q. laurë/S. glaur which was “gold (colour or light)” (PE17/51, 159). Note that in The Etymologies the form was revised to (h)malt indicating an archaic voiceless hm that was the result of ancient sm (EtyAC/SMAL), but this would no longer be the case after the root became √MALAT.

talan

flet

(high platform used in trees in Lothlorien) talan (i dalan), pl. telain [UT:245] (i thelain)

toss

bush

(i doss, o thoss, construct tos), pl. tyss (i thyss). Tolkien mentioned ”maple, hawthorn, blackthorn, holly, etc.” as examples of the low-growing trees covered by this word.

alaf

noun. elm

_ n. Bot. _elm. Q. albe.

ereg

noun. holly

_ n. Bot. _holly. >> Eregion

galan

elm

pl1. gelain _ n. Bot. _elm. . This gloss was rejected.

rhond

noun. body

n. body. >> rhonn, rhû

rhond

noun. body

A Sindarin word for “body”, cognate of Q. hrondo, appearing as rhonn in Quenya Notes from 1957 (QN: PE17/183) and as rhond or rhonn in notes concerning spirit, also probably from 1957 (NM/237). In the former document, it was derived from the root √SRON, a variant of √RON “solid, tangible, firm” (PE17/183).

Neo-Sindarin: Its Quenya cognate hrondo was replaced by Q. hröa < ✶srawā in notes from 1958-59 (MR/209, 350). However, the Sindarin equivalent of hroa was rhaw, a word that also meant “flesh” along with many other (Neo) Sindarin meanings such as “wild” and “lion”. As such, I would retain rhond as “body” for purposes of Neo-Sindarin; the continued viability of the root √RON is indicated by other words like S. Grond.

rhonn

noun. body

n. body. >> rhond, rhû

tathar

noun. willow

n.Bot. #willow. >> taor, taur

tathren

adjective. of willow, having willows

thaun

pine

pl1. thoen n.Bot. #pine. Presented as a noldorized S. form. >> Dor I thoen, thôn. This gloss was rejected.

thôn

noun. pine

n.Bot. #pine. Presented as a noldorized S. form. >> thôn, thaun . This gloss was rejected.

thôn

noun. pine

n.Bot. #pine. Presented as a noldorized S. form. >> Dor I thoen, thôn. This gloss was rejected.

baran

yellow brown

(swart, dark brown, golden-brown), pl. berain.

caw

top

caw (i gaw, o chaw), pl. coe (i choe)

caw

top

(i gaw, o chaw), pl. coe (i choe)

fân

manifested body of a vala

(veil, cloud), construct fan, pl. fain.

fêr

beech

†fêr (stem feren-, pl. ferin) (mast);

fêr

beech

(stem feren-, pl. ferin) (mast);

malad

gold

(i valad), pl. melaid (i melaid) if there is a pl.

malen

yellow

malen (lenited valen; pl. melin).

malen

yellow

(lenited valen; pl. melin).

mall

gold

(i vall), pl. mail (i mail) if there is a pl. – Suggested Sindarin form of ”Noldorin” malt.

mâl

yellow powder

(i vâl; construct mal) (pollen), pl. mail or archaic mely (i mail, i mely). Older pl. meil (LR:386 s.v. SMAL).

noss

family

noss (construct nos, pl. nyss) (clan, house), also nost (pl. nyst) (house) (PM:360) or nothrim (house) with no distinct pl. form (PM:360). Also bâr (dwelling, house, home; land, earth) (i mâr, o mbâr, construct bar), pl. bair (i mbair). The element appears in the forms -bar, -mar at the end of compounds.

noss

family

(construct nos, pl. nyss) (clan, house), also nost (pl. nyst) (house) (PM:360) or nothrim (house) with no distinct pl. form (PM:360). Also bâr (dwelling, house, home; land, earth) (i mâr, o mbâr, construct bar), pl. bair (i mbair). The element appears in the forms -bar, -mar at the end of compounds.

remmen

tangled

(woven, netted), pl. #remmin attested (as part of the phrase galadhremmin ennorath, LotR Appendix E):

rhaw

body

rhaw (?i thraw or ?i raw the lenition product of rh is uncertain) (flesh), pl. rhoe (?idh roe). Note: a homophone means ”wild, untamed”. (MR:350).

rhaw

body

(?i thraw or ?i raw – *the lenition product of rh is uncertain) (flesh), pl. rhoe (?idh roe). Note: a homophone means ”wild, untamed”. (MR:350)*.

rêg

holly

(construct reg) (thorn), pl. rîg (idh** rîg**). See also

talan

flet

(i dalan), pl. telain [UT:245] (i thelain)

tathar

willow

tathar, also tathor (i dathar/-or; o thathar/-or), pl. tethair (i thethair) or (if tathor has an analogical plural) tethyr (i thethyr). Adj.

tathar

willow

also tathor (i dathar/-or; o thathar/-or), pl. tethair (i thethair) or (if tathor has an analogical plural) tethyr (i thethyr). Adj.

tathren

of willow, having willows

(lenited dathren, pl. tethrin)

alda

noun. tree, tree, [ᴱQ.] branch

The basic Quenya word for “tree” (LotR/1113), derived from primitive ✶galadā and very well attested. This word dates all the way back to the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s where ᴱQ. alda “tree” appeared under the early root ᴱ√ALA “spread” (QL/29). Tolkien seems to have switched its derivation to ✱galadā in The Etymologies of the 1930s, where ᴹQ. alda “tree” appeared under the root ᴹ√GALAD of the same meaning (Ety/GALAD). See also ornë “(tall) tree” for a discussion of another similar word.

Conceptual Development: There were a few instances where the word alda had a different meaning. In Early Qenya Word-lists of the 1920s, alda was glossed “branch” (PE16/139). In notes from 1959 Tolkien said “✱galadā, originally only large flourishing plant, as tree, and especially one that flowered, Q alda, S galað; the general word for ‘tree’ was Q orne ‘upstanding plant’ (PE17/153)”. But in its numerous appearance elsewhere, alda was simply a general word for “tree”.

alda

tree

alda noun "tree" (GALAD, GÁLAD, SA, Nam, RGEO:66, LR:41, SD:302, LT1:249, LT2:340, VT39:7), also name of tengwa #28 (Appendix E). Pl. aldar in Narqelion; gen. pl. aldaron "of trees" in Namárië. Etymology of alda, see Letters:426 and UT:266-7. The latter source states that primitive ¤galadā, whence Quenya alda, originally applied to stouter and more spreading trees such as oaks or beeches, while straighter and more slender trees such as birches were called ¤ornē, Quenya ornë - but this distinction was not always observed in Quenya, and it seems that alda became the general word. According to PE17:25, primitive galada (sic) referred to "a plant (large) and was a general term". Place-name Aldalómë ""tree-night" or "tree-shade-night" (LotR2:III ch. 4, translated in PE17:82); Aldarion masc. name, *"Son of (the) Trees" (Appendix A), Tar-Aldarion a Númenorean King (UT:210). Aldaron a name of Oromë (Silm); aldinga "tree-top" (VT47:28), aldarembina (pl. aldarembinë attested) adj. "tree-tangled", the cognate of Sindarin galadhremmin**(PM:17:26).Aldúya fourth day of the Eldarin six-day week, dedicated to the Trees (Appendix D). The word seems to include Aldu, a dual form referring to the Two Trees. The Númenóreans altered the name to Aldëa (presumably < aldajā), referring to one tree (the White) only. The dual Aldu seems to occur also in Aldudénië** "Lament for the Two Trees" (a strange word, since Quenya does not permit intervocalic d as in this word perhaps the Vanyarin dialect of Quenya did) (Silm)

ornë

tree

ornë noun "tree" _(Letters:308, SD:302: "when smaller and more slender like a birch or rowan", Etym stem ÓR-NI: "tree, high isolated tree"). For the etymology, see Letters:426; for (original) difference in meaning between ornë and alda, see alda. In ornemalin "tree-yellow"; see laurelindórenan lindelorendor... (LotR2:III ch. 4; cf. Letters:308), also as final element in malinornë "yellow-tree, mallorn" (q.v.) Masc. name Ornendil *"Tree-friend" (Appendix A)_, compound Ornelië "tree-folk" (Quenya name of the Galadhrim, the tree-people of Lórien) (TI:239).

alda

noun. tree

aldinga

noun. tree-top

A word for “tree-top” in notes from the late 1960s, a combination of alda “tree” and inga “top” (VT47/28).

aldalómë

place name. Tree-twilight

An older name of Fangorn forest (LotR/469). It is a compound alda “tree” and lómë “twilight” (RC/385).

aldarembina

adjective. tree-meshed

Quenya cognate to S. galadhremmen “tree-meshed” (PE17/136) from the Sindarin poem A Elbereth Gilthoniel (LotR/238). It is a combination of Q. alda “tree” and Q. rembina “meshed” (PE17/25-26).

malinalda

proper name. Tree of Gold

Another name of Laurelin (S/38), a compound of malina “yellow, golden” and alda “tree” (SA/alda, mal).

Conceptual Development: The name ᴹQ. Malinalda also appeared in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (LR/210), likely with the same meaning and etymology.

ornendil

masculine name. *Tree-friend

Eldest son of king Eldacar of Gondor, slain by Castamir the Usurper (LotR/1047). This name seems to be a compound ornë “(tall) tree” and the suffix -(n)dil “-friend, -lover”, making it a tree-name similar to that of his younger brother Aldamir “✱Tree Jewel”.

ornendur

noun. tree-keep, forester, woodsman

A word in 1959 notes Tolkien described as “a tree-keep, a forester, a ‘woodsman’, a man concerned with trees as we might say ‘professionally’ (NM/20)”. It was given as an example of the use of the suffix -(n)dur, and its initial element is ornë “tree”.

ornë

noun. (tall) tree, (tall) tree, [ᴹQ.] high isolated tree

A word for a “(tall) tree” in Quenya, derived from primitive ✶ornē (Let/426; PE17/25, 50). This word can be compared to the more common alda “tree”. Talking about the primitive forms Tolkien said:

> ... ✱ornē “tree” originally and usually applied to the taller, straighter, and more slender trees, such as birches [as opposed to] ... stouter and more spreading trees, such as oaks and beeches, were called in C.E. galadā “great growth” (NM/349 and note #1).

I would use ornë in Quenya only for tall straight trees, and alda as either the general word for “tree”, or where applicable for broad and spreading trees.

Conceptual Development: The earliest precursor to this word seems to be ᴱQ. orond- “bush”, cognate to G. orn “tree” in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s (GL/62). It became {orne >>} ᴱQ. orme “tree” in Early Qenya Word-lists of the 1920s (PE16/139) and then ᴹQ. orne “high isolated tree” in The Etymologies of the 1930s derived from ᴹ✶ÓR-NI “high tree” (Ety/ÓR-NI). It retained the form orne thereafter.

Aldëa

tree-shadowed

Aldëa noun,what the Númenóreans called the fourth day of the Eldarin six-day week, dedicated to Telperion, the White Tree (Appendix D). The day was originally called Aldúya, referring to both of the Two Trees, but Númenóreans altered the name to Aldëa (presumably < *aldajā), referring to one tree (the White) only. (Appendix D) Early "Qenya" also has an adjective aldëa "tree-shadowed" (LT1:249).

aipio

plum tree, cherry tree

aipio noun "plum tree, cherry tree" (GL:18)

alalmë

elm, elm-tree

alalmë (2) noun "elm, elm-tree" (ÁLAM, LÁLAM, LT1:249). Cf. alvë in a post-LotR source.

aldarwa

having trees, tree-grown

aldarwa adj "having trees, tree-grown" (3AR). See -arwa.

feren

beech, beech-tree

feren (stem fern-, as in pl. ferni) noun "beech, beech-tree". Also fernë. (BERÉTH, PHER/PHÉREN)

fernë

beech-tree

fernë noun "beech-tree" (pl. ferni given). Also feren. (PHER/PHÉREN)

lalmë

elm-tree

lalmë noun "elm-tree" (ÁLAM). Cf. alvë in a post-LotR source.

laurinquë

noun. yellow-flowered tree

A species of tree in Númenor with low hanging clusters of yellow flowers translated “golden rain” (UT/167; NM/333). Its initial element seems to be laurë “gold (colour)”.

malinornë

yellow-tree

malinornë noun "yellow-tree" (malina + ornë), fictional species of tree (Sindarin mallorn; in Quenya also called maldornë) (PE17:50). Cf. malinornélion "of yellow-trees"; see laurelindórenan lindelorendor... (LotR2:III ch. 4; cf. Letters:308). Malinornélion is partitive pl. genitive of malinornë (UT:167, normal pl. malinorni, UT:168).

silpion

proper name. White Tree

A name for the White Tree of Valinor, the one of the Two Trees which shone with silver light (S/38). The exact meaning of this name is unclear, but its initial element is from the root √SIL “shine (white or silver)” (SA/sil) or possibly from its extended form ᴹ√SILIP (Ety/SIL).

Conceptual Development: The very first name of this tree was ᴱQ. Valpio “Holy Cherry”, appearing in the Qenya Lexicon from the 1910s (LTA2/Silpion, QL/55). In the earliest Lost Tales, however, it was called ᴱQ. Silpion (LT1/73). At this early stage, the name was translated “Cherry-moon” (LT2/215), using the same element ᴱQ. pio “cherry” as its predecessor Valpio. It is unlikely this meaning persisted into later writings. In The Etymologies from the 1930s, the name ᴹQ. Silpion was glossed “White Tree of Valinor” (Ety/BAL). Although not exact, "White Tree" is the best available later translation of this name.

tasar

willow-tree

tasar, tasarë (þ) noun "willow-tree" (TATHAR). In Tasarinan "Willow-valley", Nan-tasarion "Valley of willows" (SA:tathar)

taulë

great tree

taulë noun "great tree" (LT1:267)

tyulussë

poplar-tree

tyulussë noun "poplar-tree" (TYUL)

táva

great tree

táva noun "great tree" (PE17:115)

táva

noun. great tree

A noun appearing as tāva “great tree” in a list of “large & small” roots from around 1968 derived from the root √TAW “wood”.

Conceptual Development: The Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s had ᴱQ. taule “great tree” under the early root ᴱ√TAVA “beam”, a homonym of ᴱQ. taule “pillar” under the early root ᴱ√TAW̯A (QL/90).

vardarianna

noun. fragrant evergreen tree

Name of a species of tree in Númenor (UT/167), a combination of Varda as well as (perhaps) ría “garland” plus anna “gift”.

nindornë

noun. palm-tree

A neologism for “palm tree” coined by Helge Fauskanger for his NQNT (NQNT). The second element is ornë “tree”, and the first element might be ninda “wet” or [ᴹQ.] ninde “slender”. I prefer ᴺQ. paltalda “palm tree” adapted from ᴱQ. paltyalda.

relyávalda

noun. fig-tree

A neologism for “fig-tree” coined by Helge Fauskanger for his NQNT (NQNT), a combination of [ᴺQ.] relyávë “fig” and alda “tree”.

lepetta

noun. Gondorian hardwood

Quenya name for the S. lebethron tree appearing in an undated note likely from the late 1960s, so called “probably because its leaves (like chestnut) [were] shaped like a fingered hand” (PE17/89). As such it was likely derived from √LEP, the basis for finger-words.

sánë

noun. pine

In notes on Words, Phrases and Passages from the Lord of the Rings (WPP) from the late 1950s or early 1960s, Tolkien had Q. {sāne >>} th-, sāne- “pine” derived from {✶stāna >>} ✶thānĭ-, but this note was deleted (PE17/81). It was replaced by a marginal note in which S. thôn “pine” was derived from ✶thŏno.

Neo-Quenya: In light of the final primitive form ✶thŏno, I would update the Quenya word to ᴺQ. sono [þ] “pine” for purposes of Neo-Quenya. Petri Tikka instead proposed ᴺQ. sónë [þ] in PPQ (PPQ) from the early 2000s inspired only by S. thôn “pine”, before the above primitive forms were published in 2007.

Conceptual Development: The Early Qenya “pine” word was ᴱQ. aiqaire “fir or pine” in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s, an elaboration of ᴱQ. aiqa “steep” (QL/29). It became ᴱQ. aikasse “pine-tree” in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s, a cognate to G. aigos and derivative of primitive ᴱ✶aikasse (GL/17). This in turn became ᴱQ. aikor “pine-tree” in the Early Noldorin Dictionary of the 1920s, derived from ᴱ✶aikos-sa and still a cognate to G. aigos (PE13/158).

paltalda

noun. palm tree

Laurelindórinan

valley of singing gold

Laurelindórinan noun "Valley of Singing Gold", an earlier name of Laurenandë (Lórien) (UT:253); laurelindórenan lindelorendor malinornélion ornemalin *"Goldenlight-music-land-valley music-dream-land of yellow-trees tree-yellow", Quenya elements agglutinated in Entish fashion; this supposedly means something like "the valley where the trees in a golden light sing musically, a land of music and dreams; there are yellow trees there, it is a tree-yellow land" (LotR2:III ch. 4, translated in Letters:308). The last word ornemalin is defined in as "bearing yellow flowers" in PE17:80.

alvë

noun. elm

A word appearing as alve or albe “elm” in notes from 1959, derived from the root √ALAB of similar meaning (PE17/146, 153).

Conceptual Development: This word was ᴱQ. alalme (alalmi-) “elm (tree)” in the Qenya Lexicon and Poetic and Mythological Words of Eldarissa of the 1910s, derived from the early root ᴱ√ALA “spread” (QL/29; PME/29). It was ᴱQ. alalme “elm” in Early Qenya Word-lists of the 1920s (PE16/140), and ᴹQ. alalme or lalme “elm-tree” in The Etymologies of the 1930s under the roots ᴹ√ALAM or ᴹ√LALAM (Ety/ÁLAM, LÁLAM). The change to alve/albe was fairly late, as noted above.

arwa

in control of, possessing

arwa (1) adj. "in control of, possessing" (followed by genitive, e.g. *arwa collo, "having a cloak [colla]"). Also suffix -arwa"having", as in aldarwa "having trees, tree-grown" (3AR). In a deleted entry in the Etymologies, -arwa was glossed "having, possessing, holding, controlling" (VT45:14)

inga

top, highest point

inga (1) noun "top, highest point" (PM:340), "only applied to shapes pointing upwards...[it] referred primarily to position and could be used of tops relatively broad". Compounded in the nouns aldinga "tree-top" (alda + inga) (VT47:28), ingaran "high-king" (PM:340)

laurë

gold

†laurë noun "gold", but of golden light and colour, not of the metal: "golden light" (according to PE17:61 a poetic word). Nai laurë lantuva parmastanna lúmissen tengwiesto "may (a) golden light fall on your book at the times of your reading" (VT49:47). In Etym defined as "light of the golden Tree Laurelin, gold", not properly used of the metal gold (LÁWAR/GLÁWAR, GLAW(-R), VT27:20, 27, PE17:159). In early "Qenya", however, laurë was defined as "(the mystic name of) gold" (LT1:255, 258) or simply "gold" (LT1:248, 268). In Laurelin and Laurefindil, q.v., Laurenandë "Gold-valley" = Lórien (the land, not the Vala) (UT:253) and laurinquë name of a tree, possibly *"Gold-full one" (UT:168). Laurendon "like gold" or "in gold fashion" (but after citing this form, Tolkien decided to abandon the similative ending -ndon, PE17:58).

malina

yellow

malina adj. "yellow" (SMAL, Letters:308), "yellow, of golden colour" (PE17:51). Malinalda *"Yellow-tree", a name of Laurelin (SA:mal-; evidently malina + alda), translated "Tree of Gold" in the Silmarillion index. Cf. also malinornë.

rembina

entangled

rembina adj. "entangled" (VT42:12); aldarembina pl. aldarembinë "tree-tangled", Quenya equivalent of Sindarin galadhremmin(PE17:26)

tasar(ë)

noun. willow

The Quenya word for “willow” appearing as both tasar (PE17/81) and tasare (SA/tathar), derived from the root √TATHAR. This form of the word dates back to The Etymologies of the 1930s where ᴹQ. tasar, tasare “willow” appeared under the root ᴹ√TATHAR (Ety/TATHAR).

Conceptual Development: The Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s had a slightly different word ᴱQ. tasarin (tasarind-) “willow” under the early root ᴱ√TASA, though Tolkien marked it with a “?” (QL/89). This became tassarin “willow” with a double-s in Early Qenya Word-lists of the 1920s (PE16/139) before Tolkien adopted the form tasar(e) [þ] in the 1930s, as noted above.

sono

noun. pine

Tar-culu

gold

Tar-culu ("k"), name listed in the Etymologies but not elsewhere attested. The second element is apparently culu "gold" (a word Tolkien seems to have abandoned); Hostetter and Wynne suggest that this may be an alternative name of Tar-Calion (= Ar-Pharazôn "the Golden"); see VT45:24.

alalmino

elm

alalmino noun? "Elm"-something? (Narqelion)

albë

noun. elm

alvë

elm

alvë noun "elm" (PE17:146), also pronounced albë. In an earlier source, the word for "elm" is given as alalmë, lalmë.

culo

gold

[culo, culu ("k")noun "gold" (substance)] (KUL, VT49:47; the word culu_ also occurred in early "Qenya" [LT1:258], but in the Etymologies it was struck out; the regular Quenya word for "gold" is apparently _malta. In another version, culo meant "flame" [VT45:24], but this is apparently also a word Tolkien abandoned.)

ercassë

holly

ercassë ("k") noun "holly" (ERÉK)

malda

yellow, of golden colour

malda adj. "yellow, of golden colour" (PE17:51), variant of malina. An earlier source (the Etymologies, entry SMAL) has malda as the noun "gold" but LotR gives malta, q.v., and according to VT46:14 the form malta originally appeared in the Etymologies as well. Since Quenya sometimes uses adjectives as nouns (see for instance fanya), malda could still be regarded as a valid side-form of the noun malta "gold".

malta

gold

malta noun "gold", also name of tengwa #18 (Appendix E). The Etymologies (entry SMAL) instead has malda, q.v. for discussion, but according to VT46:14, the form malta originally appeared in the Etymologies as well. Also compare the root MALAT listed in PM:366.

neldor

beech

neldor noun "beech" (LT2:343)

sánë

pine

sánë (þ) noun "pine" (PE17:81), stem sáni- (? the primitive form is given as ¤thānĭ, which would normally give Quenya sánë/sáni-, but the Quenya noun is also cited as sáne- as if e persists before an ending).

tasarin

willow

tasarin noun "willow" (LT2:346; in Tolkien's later Quenya tasar, tasarë)

tulca

yellow

tulca (3) ("k") adj. "yellow". Adopted and adapted from Valarin; the normal Quenya word for "yellow" is rather malina (WJ:399)

tussa

bush

tussa noun "bush" (TUS)

ingëa

adjective. top

@@@ Discord 2022-05-23

galadh

noun. tree

orn

noun. tree

galadh

noun. tree

fêr

noun. beech-tree

A word for “beech-tree” in The Etymologies of the 1930s derived from the root ᴹ√PHER(EN) “beech” (Ety/PHER). Tolkien said that “Exilic fêr was usually replaced by brethil”, indicating that fêr was probably archaic. In The Etymologies, N. brethil was “beech-tree” (Ety/BERÉTH).

Neo-Sindarin: In Tolkien’s later writings, he typically said S. brethil was a type of silver-birch. I would assume the ordinary Sindarin word for “beech” was instead neldor (LotR/469; RC/384), but would keep †fêr as an archaic word for “beech”.

tulus

noun. poplar-tree

A noun in The Etymologies of the 1930s glossed “poplar-tree”, cognate to ᴹQ. tyulusse, both derived from the root ᴹ√TYUL “stand up (straight)” (Ety/TYUL).

Conceptual Development: Earlier words for a poplar tree include G. cwithwiros “poplar” in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s based on G. cwitha- “murmur” (GL/29) and ᴱN. {aigir >> lalath >>} loloth “poplar-tree” in Early Noldorin Word-lists of the 1920s (PE13/136, 149).

In Tolkien’s later writings he decided that initial palatized dentals like ty- were no longer a feature of Primitive Elvish, and he revised other derivatives of the root ᴹ√TYUL to use kyul- instead, most notably ✶kyul(u)mā > Q. tyulma “mast” (SD/419; PE21/74, 80).

Neo-Sindarin: I ignore this particular change for purposes of Neo-Eldarin as it requires us to abandon too many words; see the entry on how [[at|[j] was lost after initial dentals]] for further discussion. As such, I would retain tulus “poplar-tree” for purposes of Neo-Sindarin. If, however, you want to follow the later paradigm, you should adopt this Noldorin word as ᴺS. ✱culus “poplar-tree”.

galadhrien

feminine name. Tree-lady

An early name for S. Galadriel appearing in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s as a combination of galadh “tree” and the lenited form of rhien “lady” (TI/249). There were also (rejected) variants Rhien and Galdri(e)n.

Conceptual Development: Tolkien soon changed her name to Galadriel (TI/246), but it likely that at this early stage, her name still included galadh “tree”, since Tolkien often represented [ð] with “d” instead of “dh” in Lord of the Rings drafts: compare N. Caradras with S. Caradhras. The derivation of Galadriel’s name from S. galad “light” is probably a later innovation.

galathir

masculine name. Tree-lord

An early name for S. Celeborn appearing in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s as a combination of galadh “tree” and the lenited form of hîr “lord” (TI/249).

ereg

noun. holly-tree

eregdos

noun. holly, holly-tree

galadrim

collective name. Tree-folk

lalf

noun. elm-tree

lalven

noun. elm-tree

lhalorn

noun. elm-tree

mallorn

noun. gold tree

melthinorn

proper name. Tree of Gold

tathor

noun. willow-tree

thaun

noun. pine-tree

brethel

noun. beech, beech-tree, silver birch

ereg

noun. holly-tree, thorn

eregdos

noun. holly, holly-tree

fêr

noun. beech-tree

galathilion

proper name. White Tree of Valinor

lalf

noun. elm-tree

lalven

noun. elm-tree

lhalorn

noun. elm-tree

lhalwen

noun. elm-tree

lhalwen

noun. elm-tree

nothlir

noun. family line (esp. as family tree, genealogical tree)

orn

noun. (any large) tree

tathor

noun. willow-tree

thaun

noun. pine-tree

toss

noun. bush, low-growing tree (as maple, hawthorn, blackthorn, holly, etc.)

tulus

noun. poplar-tree

fangorn

masculine name. Treebeard

brethil

noun. beech

galadloriel

proper name. Golden Rain

brethel

noun. beech

caw

noun. top

caw

noun. top

côl

noun. gold (metal)

glaur

noun. gold

malen

adjective. yellow

malen

adjective. yellow, yellow, [ᴱN.] yellowish, pale, wan, sickly

mallen

adjective. of gold, golden

malt

noun. gold (as metal)

malthen

adjective. of gold, golden

talan

noun. flet

tathren

adjective. of willow, having willows

galad

noun. tree

galadrim

collective name. Tree-people

galad

noun. tree

Derived from galadâ "great growth", "tree", applied to stout and spreading trees such as oaks and beeches (UT:266, Letters:426; in the latter source, the root GAL is defined as "grow", intransitive). It is interesting to notice that this word, given in a source much later than the Etymologies that provides most of the Nandorin material, nonetheless agrees well with the older words cited by Tolkien: again we see the loss of original final -â, whereas original post-vocalic d is unchanged as in the word edel.

galad

noun. tree

>> Galadrim

alm

noun. elm-tree

Notice that Quenya alalme and Sindarin lalf clearly descend from different, if related forms) Based on other Nandorin forms we might have expected ealm or elm instead.

lóri

noun. gold

galada

noun. tree

galla

noun. tree

teleporno

masculine name. Silver-tall; Silver-tree

galadarembinā

adjective. tree-meshed

galadā

noun. great plant, tree

maltornē

noun. gold-tree

ornē

noun. (straight) tree

alab

root. elm

A root for “elm” in etymological notes probably written around 1959-1960 (PE17/146, 153). It seems to be a replacement for the root ᴹ√(L)ALAM from The Etymologies of the 1930s. This earlier root was connected to √AL(A) “blessed”, and the later variant may have had the same relationship. Tolkien made a point that the later version of this root was not related to √GAL “grow” or the words for “tree” after rejecting alternate roots √GALAB (?“flower”) and √GALAM for “elm” (PE17/146). The derivation ✶galmā > Q. alma “flower” was allowed to stand, so perhaps √GALAM remained valid with the alternate sense “flower”.

mal

root. gold, yellow, gold

This was the root for Elvish words meaning “yellow” for much of Tolkien’s life, though with some minor variations. It appeared as ᴱ√MALA “yellow” (usually mali-) in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s with derivatives like ᴱQ. malina “yellow” and ᴱQ. malikon “amber” (QL/58). It also appeared in a list of M-roots at the end of that section (QL/63). It had derivatives in the contemporaneous Gnomish Lexicon such as G. malon “yellow” and G. malthos “butter cup” (GL/56).

In The Etymologies of the 1930s it seems Tolkien first gave this root as ᴹ√MAL (EtyAC/MAL) but rejected this and replaced it with ᴹ√SMAL “yellow” (Ety/SMAL). It had derivatives like ᴹQ. malina/N. malen “yellow”, ᴹQ. malta/N. malt “gold (as metal)” and ᴹQ. malo/N. hmâl “pollen, yellow powder” (< ᴹ✶smalu), with some revisions in Noldorin forms as Tolkien vacillated on whether or not primitive sm- resulted in voiceless nasal hm- or a voiced nasal m-.

This √SMAL vs. √MAL variation seems to have continued into Tolkien’s later writings, as seen in Common Eldarin: Noun Structure from the early 1950s where ✶malu >> ✶smalu “dust, grit” (PE21/80), probably a later iteration of ᴹ✶smalu “pollen, yellow powder” from The Etymologies. But it seems Tolkien settled on √MAL as evidenced by the extended root √MALAT “gold” from The Shibboleth of Fëanor from 1968 (PM/366).

thŏno

noun. pine

galam

root. elm

malat

root. gold

srawā

noun. body

stona

noun. pine

tulka

adjective. yellow

pharaz

noun. gold

A noun meaning “gold”, the only Adûnaic word defined in The Lord of the Rings (LotR/1114).

Conceptual Development: This noun also appears in “Lowdham’s Report on the Adunaic Language” from the 1940s (SD/426).