bal

root. power; powerful, mighty; have power

The root √BAL had to do with “power”, and in particular divine power. Its best known derivatives are Vala and Valië, the greatest of the Ainur and divine rulers of Arda. In Tolkien’s earliest writings, he describe the Valar as gods, but later he treated them more like “archangels” under the divine patronage of the one god Eru.

The earliest forms of this root were VALA in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s (QL/99) and GWAL in the contemporaneous Gnomish Lexicon (GL/44), so very likely the true early form of this root was ✱ᴱ√WALA. The Quenya form of this root VALA was unglossed, but the Gnomish form GWAL had the glosses “fortune, happiness”. At this early stage the root had additional derivatives like ᴱQ. valin “happy” and G. gwaltha “fortunate, happy” (QL/99; GL/44).

By the time of The Etymologies of the 1930s, these “happy” derivatives had fallen away, and the new form of this root was ᴹ√BAL with new Noldorin forms like N. Balan “Power, God” (Ety/BAL). The root √BAL reappeared in the 1950s and 60s with various glosses like “powerful, mighty” or “have power” (PE17/48, 154). One relatively late development was the transfer of the word S. Balrog “mighty demon” to this root (PE17/48; S/31); in earlier conceptions this word was tied to “torture” roots like ᴹ√ÑGWAL “torment” or ᴱ√MBALA “hurt, pain” (Ety/ÑGWAL; QL/63).

balaniā

noun. Balaniā

bali(a)nōrē

proper name. Valian folk

balad

root. worth, value

paran

adjective. bare, bald, naked, unclad

walka

adjective. fierce, ferocious

kiryaktō

noun. shipwright

raukō

noun. demon

ul-

verb. to pour

urkā

adjective. horrible

¤kurwē

noun. power, ability

lub Reconstructed

root. lump

A hypothetical root implied by the primitive word ✶lubbu “a clumsy piece or lump” appearing in both the Outline of Phonetic Development (OP1) from the 1940s and the Outline of Phonology (OP2) from the early 1950s serving to illustrate the unvoicing of double stops in Quenya: ✶lubbu > Q. luppo (PE19/45, 92).

The root may be related to earlier ᴱQ. ulumpe “camel”: although its root was given as ᴱ√ULUN(T) in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s, Tolkien gave ulumpe- in parenthesis beside the root, indicating it was probably an elaboration on unattested ✱ᴱ√LUPU (QL/97). It might also be connected to G. lub “fat, fat flesh” < ᴱ✶lūpe as well as G. lubi “corpulent” (GL/55), especially given primitive ✶slūbŭ “greasy, fat” from Common Eldarin: Noun Structure of the early 1950s (PE22/82).

Neo-Eldarin: I think it is worth positing a variant root ᴺ√LUP “hump” for Neo-Eldarin in order to salvage Early Qenya camel words.

balar

place name. Balar

Name of an island and bay at the mouth of the river Sirion, from which Beleriand got its name (S/54). Ossë would frequently visit this island to see the Teleri who lived there and nearby (S/57).

Conceptual Development: The island of N. Balar appeared in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (LR/180). In The Etymologies it was given as a derivative of the root ᴹ√BAL (Ety/BAL). In Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s, Balar was said to be another name for Ossë and this was the source of the island’s name, but this idea seems to be based on earlier concepts and did not appear in the published version of The Silmarillion (WJ/5, 104).

balar

balar

pl1. belair, pl2. balarwaith, beleriath n. >> belerion, belerieth

balan

noun. Vala, Vala, [N.] Power, God

The Sindarin equivalent of Q. Vala, derived from the root √BAL “powerful, mighty” and having a plural form Belain (PE17/48). This plural appears as an element in the day-name Orbelain “✱Day of the Valar [Friday]” (LotR/1110). However, in a 1972 Letter Tolkien said this was actually a phonetic adaptation of the Quenya day-name Q. Valanya, an adjective (“✱of the Vala”) not existing in Sindarin (Let/427), presumably because it conflicts with the plural of Balan.

Conceptual Development: N. Balan “Power, God” (both male and female) appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s under the root ᴹ√BAL with a Noldorin-style plural Belein or Belen (Ety/BAL). The (nasal-mutated) Sindarin-style plural appeared in the name N. Cerch iMbelain “Sickle of the Gods” under the entry for ᴹ√KIRIK (Ety/KIRIK).

Earlier still, in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s, Tolkien had both G. Ban “a god” (GL/21) and G. Gwala “one of the Gods, including their divine folk and Children, hence often used of one of the lesser folk as opposed to Ban” (GL/44). The first of these was derived from the early root ᴱ√VANA having to do with beauty (QL/99) and the second from the early root ᴱ√gwal “fortune, happiness” (GL/44). The entry for Ban was deleted from the Gnomish Lexicon itself, but presumably these two early words were blended into later N./S. Balan.

balannor

place name. Land of the Valar

Sindarin cognate of Q. Valinórë (PE17/26), a compound of BAL “power” (basis for S. Balan “Vala”) with S. dôr “land”.

Conceptual Development: The first cognates of ᴱQ. Valinor appeared in the Gnomish Lexicon from the 1910s: (rejected) G. Dor Banion and G. Gwalien (GL/21, LT2A/Valar). In The Etymologies of the 1930s, the cognate was N. Balannor (Ety/BAL), and this is the source of the derivation given above.

In a letter from 1972, Tolkien stated that Belain (plural of Balan) was not a word in Sindarin (Let/427). Furthermore, in Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s, he changed the Sindarin name for the “Annals of Valinor” from N. Inias Valannor to S. Ínias Dor-Rodyn (MR/200). It is possible that Tolkien decided that the normal Sindarin word for the Vala was S. Rodon, so that S. Dor-Rodyn was the equivalent of Valinor.

balt

noun. force, force, [ᴱN.] might

A word for “force” appearing in notes on the Common Eldarin Article (CEA) from 1969 (PE23/136), clearly base on √BAL “power”.

Conceptual Development: The word ᴱN. balt “might” appeared in Early Noldorin Word-lists, initially glossed “a plain” (PE13/138). As suggested by the editors, the meaning “might” is probably connected to G. bâl (bald-) “worthy, important; great, mighty” from the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s, derived from the early root ᴱ√vḷd (GL/21), while the meaning “plain” is probably connected to G. bladwen “a plain” (GL/23), which is likely based on the early root ᴱ√PALA or ✱ᴱ√BALA (QL/71).

balrog

proper name. Demon of Might

The great fire demons of Melkor, a combination of the root √BAL “power” with raug “demon” (SA/rauko, val; PE17/48).

Conceptual Development: The name G. Balrog appeared in the earliest Lost Tales (LT1/93) and always kept this form in Tolkien’s writings, but its meaning and etymology evolved over time: G. “a kind of fire demon” (GL/21), ᴱN. “evil demon” (PE13/138), N. “✱Torment Demon” (Ety/ÑGWAL, RUK), an untranslated orc word (LR/404) and finally S. “Mighty Demon” (PE17/48).

balch

adjective. fierce

_ adj. _fierce, ferocious. In S. gwal < bal which coalesced in form with BAL 'have power'.

balrog

noun. demon of power

bal- (stem “cruel” [Etym. ÑGWAL-]) + raug (“powerful and hostile creature, demon”)

balchoth

collective name. *Horrible-horde

A tribe of Easterlings that invaded the lands of Gondor in the middle of the 3rd Age (LotR/1053). The name was a combination of Wes. balc “horrible” and S. hoth “horde” (UT/313 note #24).

Balannor

noun. land of Gods

Balan (“power, god”) + (n-)dor (“land, dwelling”)

balrog

demon

n. (mighty) demon. A word made in ancient S. for the spirits (of 'māyan' origin) corrupted to his service by Melkor in the days outside Arda, before the coming of the Elves and the assault uopon Utumno. Q. pl1. Valaraucar. In a draft, Tolkien presented the Balrogs as of "Valar or Maian origin" (PE17:48). >> raug

bal-

verb. *to have power

balch

adjective. fierce, ferocious, fierce, ferocious; [N.] cruel

Balannor

'the Land of the Valar'

topon. 'the Land of the Valar'. Q. Valandor.

balan

noun. Vala, divine power, divinity

balan

Vala

pl1. Belain** ** n. Vala.

Balrogs

Balrogs

Balrog is Sindarin for "Demon of Might" from bal-, "power" and raug, rog, "demon". The Quenya form Valarauko points to a possible Primitive Quendian form *balaraukô. In the earlier Etymologies, the word Balrog was derived from ñgwalaraukô, but this is inconsistent with Quenya Valarauko. A list of Old English equivalents of Elvish words, glosses Balrog as having the equivalent Bealuwearg and Bealubroga. As noted by Christopher Tolkien, the Old English word contains the elements bealu ("evil"; as in bale(ful)) and wearg ("wolf, outlaw") or broga ("terror").

Balchoth

Balchoth

The compound Balchoth consists of Westron balc ("horrible") + Sindarin hoth ("horde"). It was actually a generic term for cruel peoples, including the Orcs.

balch

cruel

1) balch (lenited malch; pl. belch), 2) baug (tyrannous, oppressive) (lenited maug), pl. boeg

balrog

fire-demon

(i valrog), pl. balroeg (i malroeg). Coll. pl. balrogath is attested. Archaic form ✱balraug. (MR:79, WJ:415). The etymological meaning is rather ”power-demon”.

balrog

fire-demon

balrog (i valrog), pl. balroeg (i malroeg). Coll. pl. balrogath is attested. Archaic form *balraug. (MR:79, WJ:415). The etymological meaning is rather ”power-demon”.

balrog

fire-demon

balrog (i valrog), pl. balroeg (i malroeg), coll. pl. balrogath (MR:79). Archaic form *balraug.

balaen

adjective. divine

balas

noun. divinity, divine power

baladh

noun. worth, importance

A neologism coined by Elaran posted on 2018-08-03 in the Vinyë Lambengolmor Discord Server (VLDS), inspired by ᴱQ. valda “worth”.

ball

adjective. worthy, important; great, mighty

balla-

verb. to matter; to be of significance, worth, moment

A neologism coined by Elaran posted on 2018-08-03 in the Vinyë Lambengolmor Discord Server (VLDS), inspired by ᴱQ. valda- of the same meaning.

baltha-

verb. to excite, rouse, stir up, agitate

balthannen

adjective. excited, agitated

balthol

verb. exciting; excitable

balan

vala

(i Valan), pl. Belain (i Melain). In ”Noldorin”, the pl. form used with the article was "iMbelain" (LR:365 s.v. KIRIK).

balch

cruel

(lenited malch; pl. belch)

balf

noun. excitement, emotion

bâl

divine power

construct bal, pl. bail (divinity). Note: the word can also be used as an adj. "divine".

bâl

divinity

bâl (i vâl, construct bal), pl. bail (divine power). Note: the word can also be used as an adj. "divine".

bâl

divinity

(i vâl, construct bal),  pl. bail (divine power). Note: the word can also be used as an adj. "divine".

bâl

adjective. divine

@@@ GS/241

bâl

noun. divinity, divine power

@@@ GS/241

bâl

divine

(adj.) bâl, lenited vâl, pl. bail. Note: the word can also be used as a noun "divinity, divine power".

bâl

divine

lenited vâl, pl. bail. Note: the word can also be used as a noun "divinity, divine power".

amon rûdh

place name. Bald Hill

The hill where Mîm lived, translated “Bald Hill” (S/204). It is a combination of amon “hill” and rûdh “bald”.

Conceptual Development: In early drafts of the Silmarillion map, this hill as first named N. Amon Carab “Hill of the Hat” along with several other similar forms (WJ/187).

rûdh

noun. bald

A word for “bald” in the name Amon Rûdh “Bald Hill” (S/204). It sometimes had a variant rhûg (WJ/187).

Conceptual Development: The Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s had G. cafol or cafalon “bald” from primitive ᴱ✶cas-falon- = “✱head-bare” (GL/24).

Amon Rûdh

noun. bald hill

amon (“hill, steep-sided mount”), rûdh (“bald”)

rûdh

adjective. bald

coron

noun. globe, ball

Amon Rûdh

Bald Hill

Amon Rûdh means "Bald Hill" in Sindarin (from amon = "hill" and rûdh = "bald").

Sharbhund means "Bald Hill" in Khuzdul, bund being the word for "head".

The first element meaning "bald" would be shar(a)h. The cluster -rbh- could be the result of metathesis (from sharhbund).

coron

ball

coron (i goron, o choron) (globe, mound), pl. ceryn (i cheryn)

coron

ball

(i goron, o choron) (globe, mound), pl. ceryn (i cheryn)

rûdh

bald

rûdh (pl. ruidh)

rûdh

bald

(pl. ruidh)

coltha-

verb. to bear up; to weigh, balance it on scales; to be worth, value or be equivalent to; to endure

belthronding

proper name. Belthronding

The bow of Beleg (S/208).

Conceptual Development: This name first appeared in the Lays of Beleriand from the 1920s as ᴱN. Balthronding (LB/117, 127). The form Balthronding also appeared in The Etymologies from the 1930s (Ety/STARAN), along with Belthronding (Ety/BEL, DING), in both cases designated an Ilkorin name. As an Ilkorin word, it was a combination of bel “strength”, thrôn “stiff, hard” and ding, an onomatopoeic sound, but it is unclear whether this derivation remained valid in Tolkien’s later writing.

raug

demon

n. demon. Q. rauca. >> Balrog

Amon Rûdh

Amon Rûdh

Amon Rûdh means "Bald Hill" in Sindarin (from amon = "hill" and rûdh = "bald"). Sharbhund means "Bald Hill" in Khuzdul, bund being the word for "head". The first element meaning "bald" would be shar(a)h. The cluster -rbh- could be the result of metathesis (from sharhbund).

coron

mound

1) coron (i goron, o choron) (globe, ball), pl. ceryn (i cheryn), 2) cûm (i gûm, o chûm, construct cum) (heap), pl. cuim (i chuim).

coron

mound

(i goron, o choron) (globe, ball), pl. ceryn (i cheryn)

coron

globe

coron (i goron, o choron) (ball, mound), pl. ceryn (i cheryn)

coron

globe

(i goron, o choron) (ball, mound), pl. ceryn (i cheryn)

raug

demon

raug (-rog in compounds, as in Balrog), pl. roeg (idh roeg), coll. pl. #rogath (isolated from Balrogath, MR:79). Also used = ”powerful, hostile, and terrible creature”.

raug

demon

(-rog in compounds, as in Balrog), pl. roeg (idh roeg), coll. pl. #rogath (isolated from Balrogath, MR:79). Also used = ”powerful, hostile, and terrible creature”.

rodon

vala

1) Rodon (pl. Rodyn, coll. pl. Rodonnath), 2) Balan (i Valan), pl. Belain (i Melain). In ”Noldorin”, the pl. form used with the article was "iMbelain" (LR:365 s.v. KIRIK).

belaith

adjective. mighty

adj. mighty. Q. melehta.

belaith

adjective. mighty

An adjective for “mighty” derived from the root √MBELEK in a page of notes having to do with “large & small” words, probably from the late 1960s (PE17/115), apparently from the primitive form ✱✶mbelektā with the ekt vocalizing to eith and then the ei becoming ai in the final syllable.

cair

noun. ship

cair

noun. ship

The Sindarin word for “ship”, most notably appearing as an element in the name Cair Andros “Ship of Long Foam” (LotR/812; PM/371). It is derived from primitive ✶kiryā, with the ancient i becoming e via a-affection [kery(a)], then the y intruding into the main syllable to form the diphthong ei [keir], and ultimately ei becoming ai as usual in final syllables in Sindarin of the 1950s and 60s [kair]. This word has a somewhat unusual plural, since ī replaced final ā in its ancient plural [kiryā-ī > kirī], so that a-affection did not occur resulting in a modern plural form cîr “ships” (PE17/147). Its class plural is likewise the somewhat unusual ciriath “[all the] ships” for similar reasons.

Conceptual Development: The Etymologies from around 1937 had N. ceir “ship” under the root ᴹ√KIR “cleave” (Ety/KIR), since in Noldorin of the 1930s ei did not (usually) become ai in final syllables. In Primitive Quendian Structure: Final Consonants from 1936, Tolkien gave cīr “ship”, first marked “N.”, then “Ilk.”, then “N. & Ilk.” (PE21/57 and note #28). It had the class plurals círiath or ciriath but it is not clear which of these was the intended final form (PE21/57 note #28). I think ciriath is more phonologically plausible; compare class plural S. Firiath “Mortals” vs. ordinary plural Fîr (WJ/387).

Early Noldorin Word-lists of the 1920s had the word ᴱN. cair followed by ᴱN. braithgair, but neither word was translated (PE13/139-140).

coron

noun. mound

círdan

masculine name. Shipwright

An Elf-lord who was a famous ship builder, whose name was translated “Shipwright” (LotR/240). His name is simply círdan “shipbuilder” used as a name (Ety/KIR).

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, his name was first given as N. Cirdan with a short i (WR/76). His name appeared in The Etymologies as C(e)irdan (Ety/TAN), where the (e) probably indicates its development from N. ceir “ship” (later S. cair).

gortheb

adjective. horrible

gorthob

adjective. horrible

haudh

noun. (burial) mound, grave, tomb

rhu-

prefix. evil-

rodon

noun. Vala, divinity

rodon

noun. Vala

A Sindarin term for the Vala (PE17/33), appearing in its plural form S. Rodyn as one of the days of the week (LotR/1110) and also in the Sindarin name for Valinor: Dor-Rodyn (MR/200). It is derived from the prefixal form rod- of raud “noble” (PE17/118, 186). Its final element might be the augmentative suffix -on, perhaps literally meaning “✱Most Noble”. It could also be the agental suffix -on, as suggested by David Salo (GS/283), but that suffix is usually masculine (WJ/400), whereas Rodon seems to apply to all Valar.

baug

cruel

(tyrannous, oppressive) (lenited maug), pl. boeg

beleg

mighty

1) beleg (great), lenited veleg, pl. belig; 2) taur (also tor-, tar- in compounds) (lofty, high, sublime, noble; vast, masterful, overwhelming, huge, awful), lenited daur, pl. toer. Note: homophones mean ”king (of a people)” and also ”great wood, forest”.

beleg

mighty

(great), lenited veleg, pl. belig

braig

fierce

braig (wild), lenited vraig. No distinct pl. form. (VT45:34)

braig

fierce

(wild), lenited vraig. No distinct pl. form. (VT45:34)

cair

ship

cair (in compounds cír-) (i gair, o chair), pl. cîr, i chîr; coll. pl. ciriath.

cair

ship

(in compounds cír-) (i gair, o chair), pl. cîr, i chîr; coll. pl. ciriath.

cirion

shipman

(i girion) (sailor), pl. ciryn (i chiryn), coll. pl. cirionnath.

círdan

shipbuilder, shipwright

(i gírdan, o chírdan) (shipwright), pl. círdain (i chírdain).

círdan

shipwright

círdan (i gírdan, o chírdan) (shipbuilder), pl. círdain (i chírdain). Compare Círdan as a proper name.

cûm

mound

(i gûm, o chûm, construct cum) (heap), pl. cuim (i chuim).

deleb

horrible

1) deleb (abominable, loathsome), lenited dheleb; pl. delib. 2) gortheb (lenited ngortheb; pl. gerthib; archaic pl. *görthib).

deleb

horrible

(abominable, loathsome), lenited dheleb; pl. delib.

gortheb

horrible

(lenited ngortheb; pl. gerthib; archaic pl. ✱görthib).

gwall

adjective. excited

haudh

burial mound

(i chaudh, o chaudh) (barrow, grave, tomb), pl. hoedh (i choedh), coll. pl. hodhath.

naegos

noun. anguish

ol-

verb. to pour

rhufaug

adjective. drunken

rodon

vala

(pl. Rodyn, coll. pl. Rodonnath)

tarlanc

obstinate

tarlanc (stiff-necked), lenited darlanc, pl. terlainc

tarlanc

obstinate

(stiff-necked), lenited darlanc, pl. terlainc

taur

mighty

(also tor-, tar- in compounds) (lofty, high, sublime, noble; vast, masterful, overwhelming, huge, awful), lenited daur, pl. toer. Note: homophones mean ”king (of a people)” and also ”great wood, forest”.

tump

hump

tump (i dump, o thump), pl. tymp (i thymp), coll. pl. tummath

tump

hump

(i dump, o thump), pl. tymp (i thymp), coll. pl. tummath

tûr

power

tûr (i dûr, o thûr, construct tur) (victory, mastery, control; master, victor, lord), pl. tuir (i thuir), coll. pl. túrath.

tûr

power

(i dûr, o thûr, construct tur) (victory, mastery, control; master, victor, lord), pl. t**uir (i th**uir), coll. pl. túrath.

balar

place name. Balar

baldor

proper name. *Vala-king

A rejected Noldorin equivalent of ᴹQ. Valatar “Vala-king” appearing alongside (masculine and feminine?) variants Baldron and Benenil in The Etymologies from the 1930s (EtyAC/TĀ). It seems to be a combination of the root ᴹ√BAL and the suffix -dor “king”.

balan

noun. Power, God

balannor

place name. land of the Gods in the West

balrog

proper name. *Torment Demon

balch

adjective. cruel

balan

noun. Vala, divine power, divinity

balch

adjective. cruel

coron

noun. globe, ball

coron

noun. globe, ball

rhaug

noun. demon

galathilion

proper name. White Tree of Valinor

ceir

noun. ship

ceir

noun. ship

ciriaeth

noun. shipwright

shipwright

ciriaeth

noun. shipwright

coron

noun. mound

cum

noun. mound, heap

cumb

noun. mound, heap

cîr

noun. ship

deleb

adjective. horrible, abominable, loathsome

haudh

noun. (burial) mound, grave, tomb

tarlanc

adjective. stiff-necked, obstinate

taur

adjective. mighty, vast, overwhelming, huge, awful, high, sublime

tump

noun. hump

tump

noun. hump

A noun in The Etymologies of the 1930s glossed “hump” derived from the root ᴹ√TUMPU of the same meaning (Ety/TUMPU). A possible earlier precursor is ᴱN. tuf “lump, knob” from Early Noldorin Word-lists of the 1920s (PE13/154).

balin

masculine name. Balin

balin fundinul uzbad khazaddûmu

Balin son of Fundin Lord of Moria

sharbhund

place name. ?Bald Hill

balak

noun. ship

The noun for “ship”, attested only in the plural (balîk) and objective (balku) forms (SD/247, PM/151). Its plural form indicates that it is a strong-noun (Strong I), so its final vowel must be short. In theory its final vowel could be any of a, i or u, each of which would be replaced by long î in plural nouns. However, its attested objective form uses the variant objective-with-syncope form balku instead of ordinary ✱baluk. Since the Adûnaic syncope seems only to occur for nouns with two identical short vowels, this indicates the singular form of this word is balak.

balîk hazad an-nimruzîr azûlada

seven ships of Elendil [went] eastward

The 8th phrase of the Lament of Akallabêth (SD/247). As written, it seems to be an incomplete noun phrase rather then a full sentence. It contains neither a verb nor a noun in the subjective case that could represent a copula (“to be” statement).

The first word, balîk “ships” is the normal plural of #balak “ship”. It is in a genitive composition with the number hazad “seven”, a construction discussed on SD/428, literally meaning “✱seven of ships”. This is modified by the phrase an-Nimruzîr “of Elendil” consisting of the genitive prefix an- “of” and the name Nimruzîr (Q. Elendil). The final word, azûlada “eastward(s)” is a composition of azûl “east” and the suffix -ada “(to)wards”.

The final typescript and manuscript versions differ only in that the manuscript is missing the dash “-” in the genitive an-Nimruzîr “of Elendil” (VT24/12). The previous (second draft) version of the phrase is missing the entire prefix an- (SD/312). The first draft had a rather different sentence.

balâ

noun. *Vala (draft)

An earlier version of the Adûnaic word for Q. Vala (SD/344), later replaced by Avalâi >> Avalôi. It is only attested in its plural form Balâi.

balkumagân

masculine name. Shipwright, *Shipbuilder

The 12th ruler of Númenor, whose Quenya name was Tar-Ciryatan “Shipbuilder, Shipwright” (PM/151). The first element of his name is the objective form of balak “ship”. Therefore, the second element magân most likely means “wright, ✱builder”. This name appears only in a draft list of the kings of Númenor from the early 1950s, and falls between the conceptual periods of Middle Adûnaic and Late Adûnaic in the terminology used here.

avalô

noun. Power, God

An Adûnaic noun translated as “God” or “Power” (SD/247, 305), the equivalent of (and possibly derived from) Q. Vala. It is probably pronounced [awalō], since the sound [w] in Adûnaic was sometime written “v” (SD/434). It frequently appeared in its plural or subjective plural forms Avalôi(m) “Powers, Gods”.

Conceptual Development: In early drafts of Adûnaic its plural was Avalâi with a long â instead of ô, perhaps indicating an earlier singular form Avalâ closer to Vala. Earlier still this word was given as plural Balāi, a more direct derivative of the Elvish root form ᴹ√BAL.

parnë

adjective. bald, bare, naked

A word derived from √PAR “peel” appearing in various notes from the late 1950s and early 1960s, given as parna or parne and variously translated as “bare”, “bare, naked” and “bald, bare” (PE17/86, 171). In one note its primitive base PARAN was glossed “peeled, bare, naked, unclad”, but that note was deleted (PE17/171). This word exists in connection with Tolkien’s later explanation for S. Dol Baran “✱Bare Hill” (RC/433).

Conceptual Development: The Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s had the word ᴱQ. falkasse(a) “bald” under the early root ᴱ√FALA (QL/37), where its second element is ᴱ√KASA “head” (hat-tip to Lokyt for pointing out), thus literally meaning “✱bare-headed” (QL/37). There were a number of other words meaning “naked”; see Q. parca for discussion.

Neo-Quenya: For purposes of Neo-Quenya, I would use this word in the sense of “having no natural covering”, so meaning bald or hairless in reference to people or animals, or without trees in references to landscape (naturally so, because none happen to grow there). I would use [ᴹQ.] helda for “naked = ✱without clothing”.

Malcaraucë

balrog

Malcaraucë noun "balrog", also Valkaraucë _("k")_(LT1:250; in Tolkien's later Quenya Valarauco)

Valcaraucë

balrog

Valcaraucë ("k") noun "balrog", also Malcaraucë (LT1:250; in Tolkien's later Quenya valarauco)

malarauco

balrog, demon

malarauco noun "balrog, demon" (RUK - rather valarauco in Tolkien's later Quenya)

calpa-

verb. draw water, scoop out, bale out

calpa- ("k") (2) vb. "draw water, scoop out, bale out" (KALPA)

coron

noun. mound, mound; [ᴹQ.] globe, ball

A word glossed “mound” in the name Q. Koron Oiolaire “Mound Ever-summer” in the Quendi and Eldar essay from 1959-60 (SA/coron; WJ/401). In The Etymologies of the 1930s, however, ᴹQ. koron was glossed “globe, ball” and was derived from the root ᴹ√KOR “round” (Ety/KOR). If this was its primary meaning, then perhaps it could also refer to round hills as hemispheres. In The Etymologies, its stem form was korn- as indicated by its (Middle Quenya) genitive kornen, likely the result of the Quenya syncope; the same reduction in inflected forms may have applied to the later version of the word as well.

coron

globe, ball

coron (2) ("k") (corn-, as in dat. sg. cornen) noun "globe, ball" (KOR)

valarauko

proper name. Demon of Might

Quenya name for a Balrog, a combination of some derivative of the root √BAL “power” with rauco “demon” (SA/rauko, val; PE17/48). It also appeared as Valarauka (PE17/48).

Conceptual Development: In the Qenya Lexicon from the 1910s, their name was either ᴱQ. Valkarauke “✱Cruel Demon” or ᴱQ. Malkarauke “✱Torment Demon” (QL/58, 60, 101-2). In The Etymologies from the 1930s, the second form reappeared as ᴹQ. Malarauko of similar meaning (Ety/RUK), but in this conceptual period it seems to be a loan word from either Noldorin or Orcish (LR/404). The forms Valarauka or Valarauko emerged in Tolkien’s later writing (PE17/48, WJ/415).

valinórë

place name. Land of the Valar

Land of the Valar within Aman (S/37), a compound of Vali, an archaic plural of Vala, and nórë “land” (SA/val, dôr). It usually appeared in the shorter form Valinor. In older Quenya, this name would have meant “Valian folk”, but it was blended with archaic Valandor to get its current meaning (PE17/20, SA/dôr).

Conceptual Development: The name ᴱQ. Valinor appears in the earliest Lost Tales with essentially the same form and meaning (LT1/70), and its long form Valinōre appeared in the Qenya Lexicon (QL/66). The name ᴹQ. Valinor appeared in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (SM/12, 80; LR/110, 205), and in The Etymologies it already had the same derivation as given above (Ety/BAL, NDOR).

In the earlier stages, the name Aman had not yet been invented, so Valinor referred to the entire land of the West, not just the land of the Valar within it.

See ✶Bali(a)nōrē for a discussion of its complex etymology.

Vala

power, god, angelic power

Vala (1) noun "Power, God, angelic power", pl. Valar or Vali (BAL, Appendix E, LT2:348), described as "angelic governors" or "angelic guardians" (Letters:354, 407). The Valar are a group of immensely powerful spirits guarding the world on behalf of its Creator; they are sometimes called Gods (as when Valacirca, q.v., is translated "Sickle of the Gods"), but this is strictly wrong according to Christian terminology: the Valar were created beings. The noun vala is also the name of tengwa #22 (Appendix E). Genitive plural Valion "of the Valar" (FS, MR:18); this form shows the pl. Vali, (irregular) alternative to Valar (the straightforward gen. pl. Valaron is also attested, PE17:175). Pl. allative valannar *"to/on the Valar" (LR:47, 56; SD:246). Feminine form Valië (Silm), in Tolkiens earlier material also Valdë; his early writings also list Valon or Valmo (q.v.) as specifically masc. forms. The gender-specific forms are not obligatory; thus in PE17:22 Varda is called a Vala (not a Valië), likewise Yavanna in PE17:93. Vala is properly or originally a verb "has power" (sc. over the matter of Eä, the universe), also used as a noun "a Power" _(WJ:403). The verb vala- "rule, order", exclusively used with reference to the Valar, is only attested in the sentences á vala Manwë! "may Manwë order it!" and Valar valuvar "the will of the Valar will be done" (WJ:404). However, Tolkien did not originally intend the word Valar to signify "powers"; in his early conception it apparently meant "the happy ones", cf. valto, vald- (LT2:348)_. For various compounds including the word Vala(r), see below.

valassë

divinity

valassë noun "divinity" (or rather *"valahood"; the word should probably not be used with reference to the divinity of Eru). (BAL)

ettalan

noun. balcony

Valarauco

demon of might

Valarauco ("k") noun "Demon of Might" (here vala- assumes its basic meaning "power, might"), Sindarin balrog(WJ:415). Pl. Valaraucar (sic, not -or) "Balrogs", apparently containing rauca (q.v.) as an alternative form of rauco "demon" (SA:val-, SA:rauco). Earlier forms from the "Qenya Lexicon" are Valcaraucë, Malcaraucë (q.v.), apparently abandoned in LotR-style Quenya.

rauco

powerful, hostile, and terrible creature

rauco ("k") noun "a powerful, hostile, and terrible creature", "very terrible creature", especially in the compound Valarauco noun "Demon of Might" _(WJ:415, VT39:10, cf. SA:raukor. In the Etymologies, stem RUK, the gloss is "demon".)_ Longer variant arauco. The plural form Valaraucar "Balrogs" seems to contain the variant rauca.

valandor

place name. Land of the Valar

An archaic name for Valinórë (SA/dôr, PE17/26), a compound of Vala and the suffix -ndor “land”.

valca

adjective. fierce, ferocious

valmë

noun. excitement, emotion

valda-

verb. to matter; to be of significance, worth, moment

arauco

powerful, hostile, and terrible creature; demon

arauco ("k")noun "a powerful, hostile, and terrible creature; demon" (variant of rauco). Tolkien's earlier "Qenya" has araucë "demon" (WJ:415, LT1:250)

arauco

noun. demon

cirya

ship

cirya _("k")_noun "ship" (MC:213, 214, 220, 221), "(sharp-prowed) ship" (SA:kir-, where the word is misspelt círya with a long í; Christopher Tolkien probably confused it with the first element of the Sindarin name Círdan. It seems that Círyon, the name of Isildur's son, is likewise misspelt; read Ciryon as in the index and the main text of the Silmarillion. Cf. also kirya_ in Etym, stem KIR.) _Also in Markirya. In the Plotz letter, cirya is inflected for all cases except plural possessive (*ciryaiva). The curious dual form ciriat occurs in Letters:427, whereas Plotz gives the expected form ciryat. Locative ciryasse "upon a ship" (MC:216). Compounded in ciryaquen "shipman, sailor" (WJ:372), also ciryando (PE17:58), cf. also ciryamo "mariner" (UT:8). Masc. names Ciryaher* "Ship-lord" (Appendix A), Ciryandil "Ship-friend" (Appendix A), Ciryatan "Ship-builder" (Appendix A), also Tar-Ciryatan**, name of a Númenórean king, "King Shipbuilder" (SA:kir-)

ciryahto

noun. shipwright

shipwright

coron

mound

coron (1) noun "mound" (SA); Coron Oiolairë ("Koron"), place-name: the "Mound of Eversummer" where the Two Trees grew. Also contracted Corollairë (WJ:401) and Corlairë (MR:107); both are spelt with an initial k in the sources.

cumbë

mound, heap

cumbë ("k")noun "mound, heap" (KUB)

eruva

adjective. divine

hru-

prefix. evil-

landa, lanna

noun. a plain

melehta

mighty

melehta adj. "mighty" (PE17:115), cf. meletya

melehta

adjective. mighty

An adjective for “mighty” derived from the root √MBELEK in a page of notes having to do with “large & small” words, probably from the late 1960s (PE17/115), apparently from the primitive form ✱✶mbelektā (with [kt] > [ht]). A variant form meletya appears with the 2nd-plural possessive suffix -lda as Meletyalda “your mighty” in the Quendi and Eldar essay of 1959-60 (WJ/369), likely from the primitive form ✱✶mbelekya (with [kj] > [tj]). This variant form has a more typical primitive adjective suffix ✶-ya, but is inconsistent with the attested Sindarin cognate S. belaith, so I’d stick with melehta for purposes of Neo-Quenya.

melehtë

might, power

melehtë noun "might, power" (inherent) (PE17:115)

meletya

mighty

#meletya adj. "mighty", isolated from meletyalda adjective with suffix "your mighty" = "your majesty" (see -lda; meletya = *"mighty"). In full Aran Meletyalda "king your mighty" = "your majesty" (WJ:369). Compare melehta.

meletya

adjective. mighty

naicea

adjective. cruel

norta

horrible

norta (ñ) (2) adj. "horrible" _(VT46:4. In Tengwar writing, the initial N would be represented by the letter noldo, not númen.)_

nwalca

cruel

nwalca ("k")adj. "cruel" (ÑGWAL; this must represent earlier *ñwalca = *ngwalca; these forms are not given in Etym, but compare nwalmë_ below. In Tengwar writing, the initial NW would be represented by the letter nwalmë.)_

níre

noun. force

nírë

noun. force

A general word for “force” [physical, social and mental] derived from √NID “force, press(ure), thrust” and appearing in Late Notes on Verb Structure (LVS) from 1969 (PE22/165).

parna

bare

parna adj. "bare" (PE17:86), also with variant form parnë (PE17:171)

parna

adjective. bare

rauca

demon

rauca ("k")noun "demon" (PE17:48). Variant of rauco, q.v.

rauca

noun. demon

ru-

prefix. evil-

taura

mighty, masterful

taura adj. "mighty, masterful" (TUR, PE17:115), "very mighty, vast, of unmeasured might or size" (VT39:10). Cf. túrëa.

tumpo

hump

tumpo (stem *tumpu-, given the primitive form ¤tumpu) noun "hump" (TUMPU)

valda

worth, worthy, dear

valda adj. "worth, worthy, dear" (GL:23)

walda

excited, wild

walda adj. "excited, wild" (PE17:154)

walmë

excitement, emotion

walmë noun "excitement, emotion" (PE17:154, 189)

walmë

noun. excitement, emotion

limpunqua

adjective. drunken

A neologism for “drunken” coined by Helge Fauskanger in his NQNT (NQNT), a combination of ᴹQ. limpe “wine” and -inqua “full”, with the vowel u indicating the “unpleasant” aspect of the fullness.