yag

root. gap, gap; [ᴹ√] yawn, gape

This root appeared as ᴹ√YAG “yawn, gape” in The Etymologies of the 1930s with derivatives like ᴹQ. yáwe/N. iau “ravine, cleft, gulf” and N. ia “gulf”, the last of these the final element in N. Moria (Ety/YAG). The root √YAG was mentioned several times in Tolkien’s later writings, usually in connection to S. Moria (Let/383; PE17/35, 42). In one place it was given the gloss “gap” (PE17/42).

Derivatives

• ✶yagā ✧ Let/383
  • S. iâ “chasm, pit; void, abyss, chasm, pit; void, abyss; [N.] gulf” ✧ Let/383
• S. iâ “chasm, pit; void, abyss, chasm, pit; void, abyss; [N.] gulf” ✧ PE17/035

Variations

• YAGA ✧ PE17/042; PE17/191