dom

root. dark, dark, [ᴹ√] faint, dim

This root was the basis for the main Elvish words for “dusk, night”, which was established as Q. lómë in Quenya for most of Tolkien’s life. The earliest form of this root was ᴱ√LOMO in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s, unglossed but with various derivatives having to do with “dusk” and “shadow” (QL/55). One notable derivative was ᴱQ. lóme “dusk, gloom, darkness”, which survived in Tolkien’s later writings as “night” and in the 1910s was the basis for ᴱQ. Hisilóme/G. Hithlum “Shadowy Twilights”. Another notable derivative was G. lómin “shady, shadowy, gloomy; gloom(iness)” (GL/45) used in the name G. Dor Lómin, which in the 1910s was translated as “Land of Shadow” (LT1/112).

The “shadow” meaning of this early root seems to have transferred to ᴹ√LUM from The Etymologies of the 1930s, which served as the new basis for N. Hithlum (Ety/LUM), as opposed contemporaneous N. Dor-lómen which was redefined as “Land of Echoes (< ᴹ√LAM via Ilkorin or in later writings, via North Sindarin). The “dusk” sense was transferred to a new root ᴹ√DOM “faint, dim”, which (along with ᴹ√DOƷ) was the basis for the pair words ᴹQ. lóme/N. dû “night” (Ety/DOMO).

These two words for “night” survived in Tolkien’s later writing in both Quenya and Sindarin (Let/308; SA/dú). In notes from the 1940s Tolkien clarified that it “has no evil connotations; it is a word of peace and beauty and has none of the associations of fear or groping that, say, ‘dark’ has for us” (SD/306). The Elves were quite comfortable being under the night sky, dating back to the time when the Elves lived under the stars before the rising of the Sun and the Moon. The root √DOM reappeared in etymologies for star-words from the late 1950s or early 1960s (PE17/152). It appeared again in some very late notes from 1969 where it was glossed “dark” and served as the basis for words meaning “blind” as well as “night”, though this paragraph was rejected (PE22/153, note #50).

mornā

adjective. dark

ñgol

root. dark-hued, dark-brown

In most places, Tolkien assigned the root √ÑGOL the meaning “knowledge, wisdom”, and it was the source of the tribal name of the Noldor. In one set of late notes, however, Tolkien said:

> Delete all references of Noldo to “wisdom, lore”! This characteristic only clearly seen later - the Tribal names must be early formations ... √ÑGOL = dark-hued, dark-brown ... The predominant colour of Ñoldorin hair was very dark brown (PE17/125).

The problem with this scenario is that elsewhere the root √ÑGOL is deeply associated with wisdom. Although Tolkien did not explicitly reject √ÑGOL “dark-hued, dark-brown”, this scenario is mentioned nowhere else. Nevertheless, it is possible that the Primitive Quenderin sense of ÑGOL was originally “dark-hued, dark-brown” and the root later developed the meaning “knowledge, wisdom” by association with the Noldor, replacing the older meaning. If so, perhaps the only survival of the original meaning is the word Q. ñolya “dark-haired”. Alternately, ñolya might mean “hair like the Noldor (dark)”.

ñgul

root. dark with sinister associations

A root Tolkien used to explain S. gûl “black arts, sorcery” (PE17/31), in one place describing it as a “darker” variant of √ÑGOL “dark-hued, dark-brown” in notes where Tolkien declared the name of the Noldor was not connected to wisdom (PE17/125). In the sense “dark with sinister connotations” the root √ÑGUL was also the basis for a couple Quenya words: Q. ñúla “dark, occult, mysterious” and Q. ñúlë “black arts, sorcery”. Elsewhere, though, S. gûl was derived from √ÑGOL “knowledge, wisdom” (Ety/ÑGOL; PE17/79; WJ/383), originally with the same neutral meaning as its Quenya equivalents, but:

> In S[indarin] the word gûl (equivalent of Q ñóle) had less laudatory associations, being used mostly of secret knowledge, especially such as possessed by artificers who made wonderful things; and the word became further darkened by its frequent use in the compound morgul “black arts”, applied to the delusory or perilous arts and knowledge derived from Morgoth (WJ/383).

Neo-Eldarin: I personally find this derivation of S. gûl from √ÑGOL “wisdom” to be more interesting etymologically, and prefer it over the root √ÑGUL. However, I think the Quenya words ñúla and ñúlë might be retained as loan words from Sindarin after the Noldor directly encountered the dark magic of Morgoth in Beleriand.

durnu

adjective. dark of hue

morikwende

noun. *Dark-elf, [ᴹ✶] Dark-elf

du Reconstructed

root. dark

mori

adjective. black

moriñgotho

masculine name. Black Foe

bani

adjective. fair

us(u)kwē

noun. dusk

wanyā

adjective. fair

lóna

dark

?lóna (4) adj. "dark" (DO3/DŌ). If this is to be the cognate of "Noldorin"/Sindarin dûr, as the context seems to indicate, lóna is likely a misreading for *lóra in Tolkien's manuscript.

lúna

dark

lúna adj. *"dark" in Lúnaturco and Taras Lúna, Quenya names of Barad-dûr (Dark Tower). (PE17:22). In the Etymologies, lúnë "blue" was changed by Tolkien from lúna (VT45:29).

morĭ

adjective. dark

PQ. dark

móri

dark

móri adj. "dark" (MC:221; this is "Qenya"; in Tolkien's later Quenya mórë, morë)

ulca

adjective. dark

dark, gloomy, sinister

lúna

adjective. *dark

A word appearing in notes from the mid-to-late 1960s as an element of two different Quenya equivalents of S. Barad-dûr “Dark Tower”: Q. {Lúnaturma >>} Lúnaturco and Taras Lúna. Tolkien states that taras is “tower”, while turco is derived from √TURUK and is thus probably “✱stronghold”, so that the word lúna must mean “✱dark”. David Salo suggested in a post to the Elfling mailing list in 2012 (Elfling/362.96) that perhaps it was related to lúmë “darkness” from the Markirya poem, both derived from an (unattested) root ✱√DU “dark”.

Conceptual Development: A similar form ᴹQ. lóna “dark” appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s as a derivative of the root ᴹ√DOƷ “night” (Ety/DOƷ).

Neo-Quenya: Since ᴹQ. lóna has several other attested meanings (ᴹQ. lóna “island”, Q. lóna “deep pool, well”), I recommend using the later and less ambiguous word lúna for “dark” in Neo-Quenya writings.

lúnaturco

place name. ?Dark Stronghold

The Quenya name of S. Barad-dûr (PE17/22), a compound of lúna (“dark”?) and turco (“stronghold”?). It was first written as Lúnaturma.

morifinwë

masculine name. Dark Finwë

The father-name of Caranthir (PM/353). It is a compound of morë (mori-) “dark” and the name of is grandfather Finwë, in reference to his black hair. The short form of this name was Moryo.

morikotto

masculine name. *Dark Enemy

The Quenya equivalent of S. Morgoth (VT49/24). It is a compound of morë (mori-) “dark” and cotto “enemy”. It is unlikely this name was much used, and is interesting primarily in shining a light on the etymology of Morgoth.

Conceptual Development: @@@ finish after completing phonology.

nolya

adjective. dark-haired, dark-haired, *brown-haired

A word for “dark-haired”, part of a paradigm in which the Elvish tribe names were derived from their predominant hair color, in notes perhaps from around 1959-60:

> √ÑGOL = dark-hued, dark-brown. OQ ñolda, dark-haired; but after special association with Clan, this was not much used; the colour word taking form ñolya (cf. vanya [= blonde > Vanyar]). The predominant colour of Noldorin hair was very dark brown; no Elf had absolute black hair (PE17/125).

In earlier iterations of this concept, Tolkien instead had Q. {losca, loksa “brown of hair” >> hrúva >>} hróva “dark, dark brown (of hair)”, but Tolkien then added ñolda as an alternative before marking the entire note as rejected (PE17/154-155).

Neo-Quenya: In this paradigm, Tolkien (temporarily) rejected the notion that √ÑGOL referred to wisdom, but this meaning was restored later (e.g. on PM/340 from 1968). However, I still think nolya might be used for “brown-haired” by way of a reversal of the association, where it referred to hair like the Noldor rather than being the basis of the tribe name.

taras lúna

place name. *Dark Tower

A Quenya translation of S. Barad-dûr (LotR/1038), a combination of taras “tower” and lúna “✱dark” (PE17/22). Tolkien did not translate the name, so this entry assume it has the same meaning as its Sindarin equivalent.

lumbo

noun. cloud; gloom, dark, shade, cloud, [ᴱQ.] dark lowering cloud; [Q.] gloom, dark, shade

A word for “cloud” appearing in the plural form lumbor “clouds” in the Markirya poem of the 1960s. An identical form ᴱQ. lumbo appeared five decades earlier in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s with the gloss “dark lowering cloud” as a derivative of the early root ᴱ√LUVU (QL/57). The context of the 1960s Markirya poem was that of a gathering storm, so it seems likely lumbor also referred to dark or stormy clouds. As further support of this, in other late notes lumbo was glossed “gloom” (PE17/72) or “dark, shade” (PE17/168) as a derivative of √LUM or √LUB “shadow, darkness”.

Neo-Quenya: For purposes of Neo-Quenya, I would assume lumbo mainly means “dark cloud”, along with the general darkness and gloom of bad weather.

Morgot / Morgos

noun. Dark Foe

Dark Foe

Moriquen(de)

noun. dark elf

dark elf

Moriquendi

noun. Elves of the Dark

Elves of the Dark

Terendul

slender-(and)-dark

Terendul masc. name "Slender-(and)-dark" (LR:59, TER/TERES, DUL, NDUL)

hróva

dark, dark brown

hróva adj. "dark, dark brown", used to refer to hair (PE17:154)

lilómëa

very dark, full of darkness

lilómëa adj. "very dark, full of darkness" (PE17:81)

lúrë

dark weather

lúrë noun "dark weather" (LT1:259)

lúrëa

dark, overcast

lúrëa adj. "dark, overcast" (LT1:259)

mori-

dark, black

mori- "dark, black" in a number of compounds (independent form morë, q.v.):Morimando "Dark Mando" = Mandos (MBAD, VT45:33), morimaitë "black-handed" (LotR3:VI ch. 6, VT49:42). Moriquendi "Dark Elves" (SA:mor, WJ:361, 373), Moringotto "Black Foe", Sindarin Morgoth, later name of Melkor. The oldest form is said to have been Moriñgotho (MR:194). In late material, Tolkien is seen to consider both Moringotto and Moricotto _("k") _as the Quenya form of the name Morgoth (VT49:24-25; Moricotto also appears in the ablative, Moricottollo). Morion "the dark one", a title of Morgoth (FS). Morifinwë "dark Finwë", masc. name; he was called Caranthir in Sindarin (short Quenya name Moryo). (PM:353) In the name Morinehtar, translated "Darkness-slayer", the initial element is defined would thus seem to signify "darkness" rather than "dark" as an adjective (see mórë). (PM:384, 385)

morion

son of the dark

morion noun "son of the dark" (LT1:261). In Fíriel's Song, Morion is translated "dark one", referring to Melko(r); this may be a distinct formation not including the patronymic ending -ion "son", but rather the masculine ending -on added to the adjective morë, mori- "dark".

morna

dark, black

morna adj. "dark, black" (Letters:282, LT1:261; also used of black hair, PE17:154), or "gloomy, sombre" (MOR). Used as noun in the phrase mi…morna of someone clad "in…black" (PE17:71). In tumbalemorna (Letters:282), q.v. Pl. mornë in Markirya**(the first version of this poem had "green rocks", MC:215, changed to ondolisse mornë** "upon dark rocks" in the final version; see MC:220, note 8).

mórë

blackness, dark, night, darkness

mórë noun "blackness, dark, night, darkness" (MOR, MC:214), also given with a short vowel:morë "dark, darkness" (Letters:282). If this is the initial element of Morinehtar "Darkness-slayer" (PM:384, 385), it would seem to have the stem-form mori-, though mori- is normally the adjective "dark, black" (see below).

nolya

dark-haired

nolya ("ñ")adj. "dark-haired" (PE17:125), i.e. very dark brown

nulla

dark, dusky, obscure

nulla adj. "dark, dusky, obscure" (NDUL), "secret" (DUL). See also VT45:11.

núla

dark, occult, mysterious

núla ("ñ")adj. "dark, occult, mysterious" (PE17:125)

ondolissë mornë

on the dark rocks

The thirty-third line of the Markirya poem (MC/222). The first word is locative partitive-plural form of ondo “rock” followed by the plural form of the adjective morna “dark”.

Decomposition: Broken into its constituent elements, this phrase would be:

> ondo-li-ssë morn-ë = “✱rock-(partitive-plural)-on dark-(plural)”

ungo

cloud, dark shadow

ungo noun "cloud, dark shadow" (UÑG)

varnë

brown, swart, dark brown

varnë (1) adj. "brown, swart, dark brown", stem-form varni- (BARÁN)

ñolda

dark-haired

†ñolda adj. "dark-haired" (PE17:125), associated with Noldor and hence not much used. Cf. nolya.

núla

adjective. dark, occult, mysterious

hróva

adjective. dark, dark brown (of hair)

morños

masculine name. *Dark Enemy

nur-

verb. grow dark, be dark

mornië

darkness

mornië noun "darkness" (Nam, RGEO:67), "dark, blackness" (PE17:73). Early "Qenya" also has Mornië "Black Grief", "the black ship that plies between Mandos and Erumáni" (LT1:261). This is probably a compound of mor- "black" and nië "tear".

lúmë

noun. darkness

A noun in the 1960s versions of the Markirya glossed “darkness” (MC/222), perhaps derived from a root √DU as suggested by David Salo in a post to the Elfling mailing list in 2012 (Elfling/362.96).

Neo-Quenya: I’d generally use Q. huinë for “darkness” in Neo-Quenya, but that word is more for total darkness, whereas lúmë might be a less severe form of darkness, a variant of Q. lómë “night, dusk”.

lúmë

darkness

lúmë (2) noun "darkness" (one wonders if Tolkien confused lúmë "time, hour" and lómë "night") (Markirya)

mor

darkness

mor noun "darkness" (Letters:308; probably just an Elvish "element" rather than a complete word; Namárië has mornië for "darkness")

lúrë

noun. dark weather, bad weather

morumbar

adjective. dark-fated

@@@ Discord 2023-01-11

nurno

adjective. dark, deep (of hue)

@@@ from Discord 2022-03-05

morinóre

t^7T5~N7R noun. black-lands, dark-lands, darklands

-ië

openness

-ië (2) abstract ending, often used to derive abstracts from adjectives, e.g. látië "openness" vs. láta "open", mornië "darkness" vs. morna "black, dark", vanië (for *vanyië) "beauty" vs. vanya "fair".

Hui

night

Hui noun "Night" (PHUY), in earlier "Qenya" defined as "evening" _(MC:214) or"fog, dark, murk, night" (LT1:253)._

cotto

enemy

#cotto ("k")noun "enemy", isolated from Moricotto "Dark Enemy", a Quenya form of Morgoth(VT49:25). Compare cotumo, *notto.

lumbo

cloud

lumbo noun "cloud" (pl. lumbor in Markirya), also glossed "gloom; dark, shade" (PE17:72, 168). In early "Qenya", lumbo was glossed "dark lowering cloud" (LT1:259)

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...

morë

black

morë adj. "black" (MOR), "dark, darkness" (Letters:282). In compounds the stem-form mori- (q.v.) appears, since the primitive form was ¤mori.

notto

enemy

*notto (ñ)noun "enemy", reconstructed simplex form of the second element of the Moringotto "Dark Enemy", a Quenya form of Morgoth(VT49:25). Compare #cotto.

tumbo

(deep) valley

tumbo (stem *tumbu-, given the primitive form ¤tumbu) noun "(deep) valley", under or among hills (TUB, SA:tum), "depth" (PE17:81). - In early "Qenya", the gloss was "dark vale" (LT1:269). See tumba.

tumna

lowlying, deep, low

tumna adj. "lowlying, deep, low" (TUB); early "Qenya" glosses: "deep, profound, dark or hidden" (LT1:269, 271)

vanya

fair

vanya (1) adj. "fair" (FS), "beautiful" (BAN), a word referring to beauty that is "due to lack of fault, or blemish" (PE17:150), hence Arda Vanya as an alternative to Arda Alahasta for "Arda Unmarred" (ibid., compare MR:254). Nominal pl. Vanyar "the Fair", the first clan of the Eldar; the original meaning of this stem was "pale, light-coloured, not brown or dark" (WJ:382, 383, stem given as WAN), "properly = white complexion and blonde hair" (PE17:154, stem given as GWAN); stems BAN vs. WAN discussed, see PE17:150.

Fui

night

Fui noun "Night" (PHUY) - variant Hui, which form is probably to be preferred in light of Tolkien's later insight that the related word fuinë (see below) is actually Telerin, the proper Quenya form being huinë.

Quende#

noun. Elf

Elf

alima

fair, good

alima adj. "fair, good" (also alya) (PE17:146)

alya

fair, good

alya (1) adj. "fair, good" (PE17:146), "prosperous, rich, abundant, blessed" (GALA). In a deleted entry in Etym, the glosses provided were "rich, blessed"; another deleted entry defined alya as "rich, prosperous, blessed". (GALA, [ÁLAM], VT42:32, 45:5, 14)

cal-

verb. to shine

cotumo

enemy

cotumo ("k")noun "enemy" (KOT > KOTH)

fairë

phantom, disembodied spirit, when seen as a pale shape

fairë(1) noun "phantom, disembodied spirit, when seen as a pale shape" (pl. fairi in Markirya); compare ausa. The noun fairë was also used = "spirit (in general)", as a kind of being (MR:349, PE17:124). In VT43:37 and VT44:17, fairë refers to the Holy Spirit (fairë aista or Aina Fairë)

fána

cloud

fána (2) noun "cloud" _(SPAN, VT46:15). _Cf. fana.

histë

dusk

histë noun "dusk" (LT1:255)

hísë

dusk

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

laimë

shade

laimë noun "shade" (DAY; in an earlier version the gloss was "shadow (cast by an object or form)"; see VT45:8-9. Perhaps Tolkien transferred this meaning to lëo when giving laimë the more general meaning "shade".)

linda

fair, beautiful

linda adj. "fair, beautiful" (of sound) (SLIN, LIND; VT45:27), "soft, gentle, light" (PE16:96), "beautiful, sweet, melodious of sound" (PE17:150); for Linda as a noun, see Lindar.

lomba

secret

lomba adj.or noun "secret" (LT1:255)

lusta

void, empty

lusta adj. "void, empty" (LUS)

látie

noun. openness

A noun for “openness” appearing in the Ósanwe-kenta essay from 1959-60 based on láta “open” (VT39/23).

látië

openness

látië noun "openness" (VT39:23)

lëo

shade, shadow cast by any object

lëo noun "shade, shadow cast by any object" (DAY)

ló

night, a night

ló (1) noun "night, a night" (DO3/DŌ, VT45:28)

lómin

shade, shadow

lómin noun "shade, shadow" (LT1:255)

lómëar

child of gloom

lómëar noun "child of gloom" (pl. evidently Lómëarni) (LT1:255, 259)

lún

deep

lún adj.??? a word of obscure meaning, perhaps "deep" as used of water (VT48:28)

mori

night

mori noun "night" (LT1:261, in Tolkien's later Quenya mórë, morë)

morqua

black

morqua adj. "black" (LT1:261; rather morna in LotR-style Quenya)

nal

dale, dell

nal, nallë noun "dale, dell" (LT1:261)

naxa

adjective. evil

naxa

noun/adjective. evil

nulda

secret

nulda adj. "secret" (DUL)

núra

deep

núra adj. "deep" (NŪ)

olca

evil, bad, wicked

olca adj. "evil, bad, wicked" (VT43:23-24, VT48:32, VT49:14, PE17:149). The root meaning implies "wickedness as well as badness or lack of worth" (PE17:170). Variant of ulca.

olo

night

?olo (reading uncertain), possibly a synonym of ló #1, hence noun "night" (VT45:28)

quendë

elf

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

ulca

evil, bad, wicked, wrong

ulca adj. "evil, bad, wicked, wrong" (QL:97, VT43:23-24, VT48:32, VT49:14; compounded in henulca "evileyed", SD:68); variant olca, q.v. Compare noun ulco. The adj. ulca may also itself be used as a noun "evil", as in the ablative form ulcallo "from evil" (VT43:8, 10) and the sentence cé mo quetë ulca *"if one speaks evil" (VT49:19).

ulco

evil

ulco (stem #ulcu-) noun "evil", pl. *ulqui (VT43:23-24; the stem-form is attested in the ablative case: ulcullo "from evil", VT43:12)

ulco

noun. evil

usque

noun. dusk

dusk

usque

noun. dusk, twilight

vanë

fair

vanë adj. "fair" (LT1:272; in Tolkien's later Quenya rather vanya)

vanë

adjective. fair, fair, [ᴱQ.] lovely

úmëa

evil

úmëa (2) adj. "evil" (UGU/UMU). Obsoleted by #1 above? Possibly connected to úmëai in Narqelion, if that is a "Qenya" plural form.

úra

evil, nasty

úra (1) adj. "evil, nasty" (VT43:24, VT48:32)

úro

evil

úro noun "evil" (VT43:24); Tolkien may have abandoned this form in favour of ulco, q.v.

dúath

adjective. dark

_ adj. _dark, black shadow.

dûr

dark

_ adj. _dark, gloomy, 'hellish'.

barad-dûr

place name. Dark Tower

Sauron’s fortress in Mordor, translated “Dark Tower” (LotR/555). It is a combination of barad “tower” and dûr “dark” (PE17/22, 85; RC/274; SA/barad, dûr).

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, this name was already N. Barad-dûr when it first appeared (TI/178).

caragdûr

place name. *Dark-spike

A precipice of black rock on the hill of Gondolin (S/138), apparently a combination of [N.] carag “spike” and dûr “dark” (SA/carak, dûr).

Conceptual Development: In Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s, this name was first written as Caragdar (WJ/325).

durthang

place name. Dark Oppression

An orc-fortress in Mordor (LotR/928), translated “Dark Press or Oppression” (RC/610). This name is a compound of dûr “dark” and thang “oppression” (SA/dûr, thang).

Conceptual Development: This name was already N. Durthang when it first appeared in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s (SD/33).

glindûr

masculine name. *Dark Glance

A name Tolkien considered as a possible replacement for Maeglin in the Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s (WJ/91, 146), along with rejected variants Targlîn, Morlîn and Morleg (WJ/323). It appears to be a combination of glîn(n) “gleam, glint” and dûr “dark”.

mengas dûr

place name. ?Dark Gap in the Way

Rejected precursor to Cabed-en-Aras (WJ/156). The meaning of this name is unclear, but it might be a combination of men “road, way”, [N.] gas “gap” and dûr “dark”, perhaps meaning “✱Dark Gap in the Way” (as suggested by David Salo, GS/384).

morben

proper name. *Dark-folk

Originally a Sindarin term for the dark-elves (PE17/141), it was later expanded to include anyone who was not a Calben, ally of the Light (WJ/376). This name is a combination of morn “black” and pen “(some)one” (WJ/362).

Conceptual Development: The (rejected) word Morbenn appeared in The Etymologies from the 1930s (EtyAC/MOR).

morbenedh

proper name. *Dark-elf

Another Sindarin term for the dark-elves or Avari in 1957 Notes on Names (NN), a combination of the element √MOR “black” and the lenited form of †penedh “Elf” (PE17/141).

morgoth

masculine name. Black Foe, Dark Foe, Black Enemy, Dark Tyrant

Sindarin name of the Vala Melkor, source of evil in the world, variously translated “Black Foe” (S/79, MR/294), “Dark Foe” (WJ/14), “Black Enemy” (PM/358) or “Dark Tyrant” (PE21/85). His name is a combination of the element MOR “black” (SA/mor, PE17/73) and the lenited form of coth “enemy” (Ety/KOT).

Possible Etymology: Tolkien stated that this name was given to Morgoth by Fëanor (S/79, MR/194). This scenario made sense when the Welsh-like Elvish language was the native language of the Noldorin it was up through the 1940s, but was more difficult to justify when Sindarin became the language of Beleriand in the 1950s. Tolkien seems to have devised several new etymologies of this name specifically to make the statement more plausible. See the entry ✶Moriñgotho for further discussion.

Conceptual Development: The name G. Morgoth appeared in the earliest Lost Tales; this early version of the name does not have a clear etymology, though it may have contained goth “strife” (LT2/67). In Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s, N. Morgoth was translated “Dark Power” (SM/164) or “Black God” (LR/206), indicating a shift in the conception of the name’s meaning. The name first appeared with the translation “Black Foe” and the derivation described above in The Etymologies (Ety/MOR, KOT), though in the same period Tolkien also considered making the second element an Orcish word meaning “master” (LR/406). See ✶Moriñgotho for later etymological developments.

mornan

place name. Dark Valley

Valley of the Morthond described as “a dark valley” (VT42/14), a combination of morn “dark” and nan(d) “valley”, as suggested by Carl Hostetter (VT42/29 note #31).

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, this valley was named N. Imlad Morthond “Blackroot Vale” (WR/287).

mornedhel

proper name. Dark-elf

A Sindarin term for the Avari, a combination of morn “dark” and Edhel “Elf” (WJ/377), also appearing as Moredhel (PE17/140-141).

morwen

feminine name. Dark Maiden

Wife of Húrin and mother of Túrin (S/148), her name was translated “Dark Maiden” (WJ/409), a combination of the element MOR “black” and the suffixal form -wen of gwend “maiden” (SA/mor, wen).

Conceptual Development: In draft notes from the 1910s she was first called ᴱQ. Tiranne (LT2/139), but the earliest Lost Tales themselves, this character was named G. Mavwin (LT2/70). In Lays of Beleriand from the 1920s, her name was revised first to ᴱN. Morwin (LB/22) and then Morwen (LB/104). Her name was N. Morwen in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (SM/23, LR/276). The name Morwen also appeared in The Etymologies (Ety/MOR).

Barad-dûr

noun. dark tower

barad (“tower”) + dûr (“dark, somber”) #Dh could revert to d assimilated by the preceding d.

Barad-dûr

place name. 'Dark Tower'

topon. #'Dark Tower'. >> barad, dûr

Moredhel

'Dark-Elf'

pl1. Moredhil {ð} n. 'Dark-Elf', distinguished from the Sindar (and usually also the Nandor). Q. Avar.

Morwen

noun. dark lady

mor (stem“dark, black”) + gwend (“woman, maiden”); [Etym. WEN-] since it shows no -d even in the archaic spelling, it probably contains derivative of WEN-, not WENED- stem and the last element is Ilk. gwen (“girl”).

emyn duir

place name. Dark Mountains

Hills in north-eastern Mirkwood, translated “Dark Mountains” (UT/280), also known as Emyn-nu-Fuin “Mountains of Mirkwood” (UT/281). This name is a combination of the plural of amon “hill” and the plural of the adjective dûr “dark”.

eryn vorn

place name. Dark Wood

A forested cape south of the mouth of Baranduin first named on the Pauline Bayne map of Middle-earth from 1970 (RC/lxv). The name is translated “Dark Wood”, a combination of eryn “woods” and the lenited form of morn “dark”.

moravar

noun. 'Dark-Elf'

n. #'Dark-Elf'.

morben

'Dark-elf'

pl1. mœrbin, pl2. morbennath n. 'Dark-elf', excluding the Sindar.

morbenedh

'Dark-Elf'

pl1. morbenidh {ð} n. #'Dark-Elf'. >> penedh

udûn

place name. Dark Pit

Sindarin name of Morgoth’s fortress Q. Utumno (MR/382) translated “Dark Pit” or “Hell” (RC/297), probably a derivative of the same primitive form ✶Utupnu as its Quenya cognate (MR/69). It was also the name of a plain in Mordor (LotR/928).

Conceptual Development: In the Gnomish Lexicon from the 1910s this name was G. Udum or Uduvna (GL/74), probably derived from the same primitive root ᴱ√TUM(B)U as its (early) Quenya cognate ᴱQ. Utumna (QL/95, LT1A/Utumna). In The Etymologies from the 1930s, N. Udûn had essentially the same form and meaning as the later Sindarin name, though at this stage its primitive form was given as ᴹ✶Utubnu (Ety/TUB).

The vale in Mordor was first called N. Narch or Narch Udûn (SD/34, WR/438).

dûr

dark (with evil implications

_adj. _dark (with evil implications, e.g. Barad-dûr). >> Barad-dûr

baran

adjective. brown, swart, dark brown, golden brown, yellow brown

dûr

adjective. dark, sombre

galvorn

noun. a black metal devised by the dark elf Eol

morn

adjective. black, dark

mornedhel

noun. Dark-Elf

môr

noun. darkness, dark, night

dúath

noun. darkness, shadow

fuin

noun. night, dead of night, gloom, darkness

morn

dark

morn (black), pl. myrn, lenited vorn. Note: the latter word is also used as a noun ”darkness, night”. (Letters:386)

morn

dark

(black), pl. myrn, lenited vorn. Note: the latter word is also used as a noun ”darkness, night”. (Letters:386)

doll

dark

doll (dusky, misty, obscure), lenited noll, pl. dyll. Note: In ”Noldorin”, this word appeared as dolt as well as doll, but the latter seems the best form in S.

doll

dark

(dusky, misty, obscure), lenited noll, pl. dyll. Note: In ”Noldorin”, this word appeared as dolt as well as doll, but the latter seems the best form in S.

dûr

dark

dûr (sombre), lenited dhûr, pl. duir

dûr

dark

(sombre), lenited dhûr, pl. duir

graw

dark

graw (swart), lenited raw, pl. groe. (VT45:16)

graw

dark

(swart), lenited ’raw, pl. groe. (VT45:16)

môr

dark

môr (black), lenited vôr, pl. mŷr (Letters:382), also

môr

dark

(black), lenited vôr, pl. m**ŷr* (Letters:382)*, also

Barad-dûr

Dark Tower

Barad-Dûr translates from Sindarin as "Dark Tower". barad means "tower" and dûr means "dark". Lugbúrz was the name of Barad-dûr in the Black Speech from Lug meaning "tower" and búrz meaning "dark".

baran

dark brown

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

baran

dark brown

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

mornedhel

dark elf

Mornedhel (i Vornedhel), pl. Mornedhil (i Mornedhil). Conceivably the entire word could be umlauted in the pl.: Mernedhil. (WJ:409). Also Duredhel (i Dhuredhel), pl. Duredhil (i Núredhil), also called Durion (i Dhurion), *"dark son", pl. Duryn (i Nuryn), coll. pl. Durionnath.

mornedhel

dark elf

Mornedhel (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).

mornedhel

dark elf

(i Vornedhel), pl. Mornedhil (i Mornedhil). Conceivably the entire word could be umlauted in the pl.: Mernedhil. (WJ:409). Also Duredhel (i Dhuredhel), pl. Duredhil (i Núredhil), also called Durion (i Dhurion), ✱"dark son", pl. Duryn (i Nuryn), coll. pl. Durionnath.

Graurim

dark people

Graurim (VT45:16);

dúath

dark shadow

(i dhúath) (nightshade), pl. dúaith (i núaith);

dúath

dark shadow

dúath (i dhúath) (nightshade), pl. dúaith (i núaith);

dúath

dark shadow

dúath (i dhúath) (nightshade), pl. dúaith (i núaith). Compare the Ephel Dúath or ”Mountains of Shadow” forming th outer fence of Mordor, perhaps suggesting that Dúath is also the word used of Sauron as ”the Shadow”.

graurim

dark people

(VT45:16);

graw

adjective. dark, swart

guldur

dark sorcery

(i nguldur = i ñuldur), pl. gyldyr (in gyldyr = i ñgyldyr)

guldur

dark sorcery

guldur (i nguldur = i ñuldur), pl. gyldyr (in gyldyr = i ñgyldyr)

dû

darkness

1. dû (i dhû) (night, nightfall, late evening, dusk), pl. dui (i nui) (SD:302), 2) fuin (gloom, night, dead of night, nightshade). No distinct pl. form. 3) môr (i vôr, construct mor), pl. mŷr (i mŷr) if there is a pl. (Letters:382); 4 morn (i vorn) (night), pl. myrn (i myrn). Note: the word môr, morn is also used as an adjective ”dark, black”. (Letters:386)

môr

darkness

(i vôr, construct mor), pl. m**ŷr (i m**ŷr) if there is a pl. (Letters:382); 4 morn (i vorn) (night), pl. myrn (i myrn). Note: the word môr, morn is also used as an adjective ”dark, black”. (Letters:386)

dû

darkness

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

fuin

darkness

(gloom, night, dead of night, nightshade). No distinct pl. form.

Barad-dûr

Barad-dûr

Barad-Dûr translates from Sindarin as "Dark Tower". barad means "tower" and dûr means "dark". Lugbúrz was the name of Barad-dûr in the Black Speech, composed of of the Black Speech words lûg ("fortress, lock-up, prison") and búrz ("dark").

Morwen

Morwen

Morwen means "Dark Maiden" in Sindarin (from môr = "darkness, dark, night" and gwenn = "maiden"). Her epithet, Eledhwen, means "Elf-maiden" (from edhel = "Elf" and gwenn = "maiden"); Tolkien also translates it as "Elfsheen", which is a rendeding of Old English ælf-scīene "bright as fairy, of elfin beauty". Both definitions are in reference to her noble bearing.

baran

brown

1. baran (swart, dark brown, yellow brown, golden-brown), pl. berain; 2) rhosc (red, russet), lenited ?throsc or ?rosc (the lenition product of rh is uncertain), pl. rhysc

baran

brown

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

dúath

nightshade

(i dhúath) (dark shadow), pl. dúaith (i núaith).

dû

night

1. dû (i dhû) (nightfall, dusk, late evening, darkness), pl. dui (i nui) (SD:302), 2) morn (i vorn) (darkness), pl. myrn (i myrn). Note: the word is also used as an adjective ”dark, black” (Letters:386).

hethu

obscure

_(adjective) _1) *hethu (foggy, vague), analogical pl. hethy; lenited chethu. Cited in archaic form hethw (LR:364 s.v. KHIS, KHITH). 2) doll (dark, dusky, misty), lenited noll, pl. dyll. Note: In ”Noldorin”, this word appeared as dolt as well as doll, but the latter seems the best form in S.

hethu

obscure

(foggy, vague), analogical pl. hethy; lenited chethu. Cited in archaic form hethw (LR:364 s.v. KHIS, KHITH). 2) doll (dark, dusky, misty), lenited noll, pl. dyll. Note: In ”Noldorin”, this word appeared as dolt as well as doll, but the latter seems the best form in S.

morn

night

(i vorn) (darkness), pl. myrn (i myrn). Note: the word is also used as an adjective ”dark, black” (Letters:386).

môr

black

1. môr (dark), lenited vôr, pl. mŷr (Letters:382), also morn (dark), pl. myrn, lenited #vorn. Note: the word is also used as a noun ”darkness, night”. (Letters:386) The lenited form #vorn appears, compounded, in the name of the

môr

black

(dark), lenited vôr, pl. m**ŷr (Letters:382), also morn (dark), pl. **myrn, lenited #vorn. Note: the word is also used as a noun ”darkness, night”. (Letters:386) The lenited form #vorn appears, compounded, in the name of the

dû

dusk

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

dû

night

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

fuin

nightshade

(gloom, darkness, night, dead of night); no distinct pl. form.

fuin

night, nightshade, dead of night

(gloom, darkness). No distinct pl. form.

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).

Teler

noun. an Elf, one of the Teleri

bain

fair

_ adj. _fair, good, blessed, wholesome, favourable, without evil/bad element, not dangerous, evil or hostile. bân or bain << bân pl. bain. >> bân

bân

adjective. fair

_ adj. _fair, good, wholesome, favourable, not dangerous, evil or hostile. bân or bain << bân pl. bain. >> bain

cal-

verb. to shine

calben

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

calben

noun. all Elves but the Avari

dúath

noun. nightshade

dúnedhel

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

dû

night

_ n. _night (when viewed favourably). Q. lóme.

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

ell

noun. elf

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

elleth

noun. elf-maid

ellon

noun. elf

elvellon

noun. elf-friend

fael

adjective. fair minded, just, generous

galadhrim

noun. Elves of Lothlórien

glinnel

noun. Elf, one of the Teleri

golodh

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

golodhrim

noun. Deep Elves, Gnomes

gwain

adjective. fair

adj. fair. . This gloss was rejected.

gwana

noun/adjective. fair

gwath

noun. shade, shadow, dim light

gwath

noun. stain

gwân

adjective. fair

_ adj. _fair, pale.

gódhel

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

gódhellim

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

hûl

noun. secret

A noun for “secret” appearing in notes on the Common Eldarin Article (CEA) from 1969 (PE23/136). It could be based on √SKOL “shut, close”, but this root appeared almost a decade earlier and the meanings don’t quite fit.

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

lind

adjective. fair

lum

noun. shade

miniel

noun. an Elf, one of the Vanyar

mor

black

_adj. _black.

mor-

black

_ pref. _black. >> Moria, morn-

morn

adjective. black

adj. black. >> mor, Morgai

morn-

black

_pref. _black. >> Moria, mor-

moth

noun. dusk

rhosc

adjective. russet, russet, [N.] brown

rhosg

adjective. brown

rhû

evil

adj. evil, wicked. Q. hruo. >> Rhudaur

rhû

evil

_ adj. _evil, wicked. Q. hrúa, hrúya. >> rhu-, Rhudaur

tawarwaith

noun. Silvan elves

telerrim

noun. the Teleri, a tribe of Elves

thurin

masculine name. Secret

A name that Finduilas gave to Túrin translated “Secret” (UT/157), simply the adjective thurin “secret, hidden” used as a name.

ódhel

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

ódhellim

noun. Deep Elves or Gnomes, the Wise Folk

angol

deep lore

(magic), pl. engyl. Note: a homophone means "stench".

bain

fair

bain (beautiful). Lenited vain. No distinct pl. form.

bain

fair

(beautiful). Lenited vain. No distinct pl. form.

cofn

void

(adjective) cofn (empty), lenited gofn, pl. cyfn

cofn

void

(empty), lenited gofn, pl. cyfn

coth

enemy

(i goth, o choth), pl. cyth (i chyth).

dae

shade

(i dhae) (shadow), no distinct pl. form except with article (i nae)

daw

nighttime

(i dhaw) (gloom), pl. doe (i noe), coll. pl. ?dawath or ?doath.

dolen

secret

(hidden), lenited dholen, pl. dolin

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.

falch

deep cleft

(ravine[?]), pl. felch;

faun

cloud

(pl. foen, coll. pl. fonath)

fân

cloud

1. fân (veil, also used of the manifested body of a Vala), construct fan, pl. fain, 2) faun (pl. foen, coll. pl. fonath)

fân

cloud

(veil, also used of the manifested body of a Vala), construct fan, pl. fain

galvorn

black metal

(i ’alvorn), pl. gelvyrn (i ngelvyrn = i ñelvyrn) if there is a pl. (WJ:322). 2) donn (swart, swarty, shady, shadowy) (lenited dhonn, pl. dynn). (VT45:11). Also dunn- in compounds.

gast

void

(i ’Ast if the word can occur with article and is not counted as a proper name)

gaw

void

(noun) 1) gaw (i **aw), pl. goe (i ngoe = i ñoe), 2) (noun, "the Void" beyond the world) Gast (i **Ast if the word can occur with article and is not counted as a proper name), 3) iâ (chasm, gulf, abyss), pl. iai (LR:400, RS:437, Letters:383)

gaw

void

(i ’aw), pl. goe (i ngoe = i ñoe)

golu

secret lore

(i ngolu = i ñolu, o n’golu = o ñgolu) (secret lore), analogical pl. gely (in gely = i ñgely) if there is a pl. Archaic golw, hence golwath as the likely coll. pl. 

goth

enemy

1. goth (i ngoth = i ñoth, o n**goth = o ñgoth), pl. gyth (in gyth = i ñgyth), 2) #gûd (i ngûd = i ñûd, o n**gûd = o ñgûd, construct gud) (foe), pl. guid (in guid = i ñgŷd). Isolated from the name Thuringud, Hidden Foe. 3) (also used = ”enmity”) coth (i goth, o choth), pl. cyth (i chyth).

goth

enemy

(i ngoth = i ñoth, o n’goth = o ñgoth), pl. gyth (in gyth = i ñgyth)

gwathra

obscure

(verb) gwathra- (i **wathra, in gwathrar**) (dim, veil, overshadow

gwathra

obscure

(i ’wathra, in gwathrar) (dim, veil, overshadow

gwâth

shade

(noun) 1) gwâth (i **wâth; construct gwath) (shadow, dim light), pl. gwaith (in gwaith) (UT:261), 2) dae (i dhae) (shadow), no distinct pl. form except with article (i nae), 3) lûm (pl. luim**).

gwâth

shade

(i ’wâth; construct gwath) (shadow, dim light), pl. gwaith (in gwaith) (UT:261)

gûd

enemy

(i ngûd = i ñûd, o n’gûd = o ñgûd, construct gud) (foe), pl. guid (in guid = i ñgŷd). Isolated from the name Thuringud, Hidden Foe.

im

deep vale

(dell), no distinct pl. form (though the pl. article in will mark the word as pl. when definite). The word typically occurs, not by itself, but in compounds like imlad, imloth, imrath, imrad (VT45:18, VT47:19)

imlad

deep valley, narrow valley with steep sides

(glen), pl. imlaid;

iâ

void

(chasm, gulf, abyss), pl. iai (LR:400, RS:437, Letters:383)

lûm

shade

(pl. luim).

maeg

going deep in

(lenited vaeg; no distinct pl. form) (sharp, penetrating). (WJ:337);

moth

dusk

(i voth), pl. myth (i myth). David Salo would read ✱môth with a long vowel.

ogol

evil

1. ogol (wicked), pl. egyl (archaic ögyl) (VT48:32), 2) possibly also um (bad), pl. ym (or uim?) (David Salo would read *ûm with a long vowel. According to VT46:20, it may be that Tolkien intended um as a primitive base rather than as a ”Noldorin” word; the word ogol may therefore be preferred.)

ogol

evil

(wicked), pl. egyl (archaic ögyl) (VT48:32)

rhosc

brown

(red, russet), lenited ?throsc or ?rosc *(the lenition product of rh is uncertain)*, pl. rhysc

rhosc

russet

rhosc (red, brown), lenited ?throsc or ?rosc (the lenition product of rh is uncertain), pl. rhysc

rhosc

russet

(red, brown), lenited ?throsc or ?rosc *(the lenition product of rh is uncertain)*, pl. rhysc

thurin

secret

(adjective) 1) thurin (hidden); no distinct pl. form, 2) dolen (hidden), lenited dholen, pl. dolin;

thurin

secret

(hidden); no distinct pl. form

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.

tinnu

early night without a moon

(i dinnu, o thinnu) (dusk, twilight), pl. tinny (i thynny) if there is a pl.

tofn

deep

tofn (lenited dofn; pl. tyfn) (low, low-lying), also nûr (pl. nuir). Note: homophones of the latter mean ”sad” and ”race”.

tofn

deep

(lenited dofn; pl. tyfn) (low, low-lying), also nûr (pl. nuir). Note: homophones of the latter mean ”sad” and ”race”.

tûm

deep valley

tum- (i** dûm, o thûm, construct tum), pl. t**uim (i** thuim**)

um

evil

(bad), pl. ym (or uim?) (David Salo would read ✱ûm with a long vowel. According to VT46:20, it may be that Tolkien intended um as a primitive base rather than as a ”Noldorin” word; the word ogol may therefore be preferred.)

ummas

noun. evil

úmarth

evil fate

(pl. úmerth).

dûr

adjective. dark

dureledh

proper name. Dark-elf

A Noldorin name for the Dark Elves appearing in The Etymologies from the 1930s (Ety/DOƷ), also appearing as Duveledh in the entry for the root ᴹ√MOR (Ety/MOR). The latter may be a mistake since a miswritten “r” might appear as a “v”; another word Durion appears beside Duveledh, which supports it being a misreading for “r”. It is a combination of dûr “dark” and Eledh “Elf”.

durion

proper name. Dark-elf

A Noldorin name for the Dark Elves appearing in The Etymologies from the 1930s (Ety/DOƷ, MOR), a combination of dûr “dark” and a variant of the agental suffix -(r)on. According to Carl Hostetter and Patrick Wynne, in one entry this form replaced an element duil- which was part of some kind of etymological definition, but the writing is obscured (EtyAC/MOR).

barad-dûr

place name. Dark Tower

baran

adjective. brown, swart, dark brown

doll

adjective. obscure, dark, dusky, hidden, secret

grau

adjective. dark, swart

baran

adjective. brown, swart, dark brown, golden brown, yellow brown

doll

adjective. dark, dusky, obscure

dolt

adjective. dark, dusky, obscure

dûr

adjective. dark, sombre

morbenn

proper name. Dark Elf

morn

adjective. black, dark

môr

noun. darkness, dark, night

dúath

noun. darkness, shadow

dúwath

noun. darkness, shadow

fuin

noun. night, dead of night, gloom, darkness

lhum

noun. shade

A word appearing as N. lhum “shade” in The Etymologies of the 1930s, derived from the root ᴹ√LUM, most notably an element in the name N. Hithlum (Ety/LUM). It was the cognate of ᴹQ. lumbe, and thus derived from primitive ✱lumbē, which explains why the final m survived as a reduction of mb.

Conceptual Development: The earliest iteration of this word was G. lôm {“pool, sl...” >>} “gloom, shade” from the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s, based on primitive ᴱ✶lou̯me (GL/54) and probably derived from the early root ᴱ√LOMO as suggested by Christopher Tolkien (LT1A/Hisilómë). In this early document, G. lum or glum was “a cloud” (GL/55), likely a derivative of ᴱ√LUVU for “✱dark weather” as also suggested by Christopher Tolkien (LT1A/Luvier). In Noldorin Word-lists of the 1920s Tolkien had ᴱN. {lom >>} lhom “shadow” (PE13/149). This became N. lhum “shade” in The Etymologies, as noted above.

Neo-Sindarin: In later writings, Hithlum was designated North Sindarin and its final element was based on a loan from Q. lómë “dusk”, with the m surviving only because it was from the North dialect (PE17/133; WJ/400). However, the root √LUM “shadow, darkness” also survived in later writings (PE17/168), so I think N. lhum “shade” can be salvaged, though if adapted to Neo-Sindarin it would need to become ᴺS. lum as suggested in HSD (HSD). Given the later use of Q. lumbo for “(dark) cloud”, I think the Gnomish sense G. lum “[dark] cloud” can be salvaged as well.

morgoth

masculine name. Black Foe

morn

adjective. black

môr

adjective. black

belegast

place name. Void

Noldorin term for the “Void” appearing in The Etymologies from the 1930s, a combination of beleg “great” and Gast “void” (Ety/KUM), also appearing as a variant Belego containing gaw “void” (Ety/GAS).

daw

noun. night-time, gloom

dolt

adjective. obscure

dúath

noun. nightshade

dúwath

noun. nightshade

edhel

noun. Elf

faun

noun. cloud

faun

noun. cloud

gast

proper name. Void

A name for the Void beyond the world appearing in The Etymologies from the 1930s, more fully Belegast (Ety/KUM).

gaw

noun. void

gaw

noun. void

golodh

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

golodhrim

noun. Deep Elves, Gnomes

gwath

noun. shade, shadow, dim light

gwath

noun. stain

gwath

noun. shade

lhum

noun. shade

mordor

place name. Black Country

morwen

feminine name. Morwen

muin

adjective. secret

nûr

adjective. deep

nûr

adjective. deep

rhosc

adjective. brown

thurin

adjective. secret, hidden

tindu

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

tindu

noun. starry twilight

tinnu

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

tinnu

noun. starry twilight

tofn

adjective. lowlying, deep, low

tum

noun. (deep) valley

búrz

adjective. dark

lugbúrz

place name. Dark Tower

burzum

noun. darkness

búrz

adjective. dark

burzum

noun. darkness

dolgu

noun. dark, (evil) night

A noun attested as the isolated word dolgu, described as “a word with the evil sense of ‘night’ or ‘dark’” (SD/306). It may be related to S. dû “night” and N. doll “obscure, hidden, dusky”, as suggested by Carl Hostetter and Patrick Wynn (AAD/13). It is similar to the word dulgu “black” appearing in the Lament of Akallabêth and the two may be variations of the same word, but most authors have suggested (AAD/13-14, AL/Adûnaic, EotAL/DUL’G, NBA/11, 24) that they are distinct words. In the phonetic rules in Lowdham’s Report from this period, a short o cannot appear in an Adûnaic (SD/423), so perhaps the proper form of this noun should be ✱dôlgu.

dulgu

adjective. black, dark

An adjective translated “black” (SD/247). It appears in its plural form dulgî “black” in the final version of the Lament of Akallabêth (SD/247) and in its singular form dulgu in the second draft of this text (SD/312). It may be related to S. dûr “dark” and N. doll “obscure, hidden, dusky”, as suggested by Carl Hostetter and Patrick Wynn (AAD/14). It is likely related to or a variant of dolgu “black, dark”.

moripendi

collective name. Dark-elves

sil-

verb. to shine

dunna

adjective. black

This might seem to be derived from dunnâ, sc. the stem DUN "dark (of colour)" (LR:355) either with the adjectival ending -nâ or with medial fortification n > nn and the simpler adjectival ending -â. However, other Nandorin words seem to have lost their final -â's, e.g. ealc "swan" from alk-wâ, and (to quote a wholly parallel example) cogn "bow" from ku3nâ. The descendant form is not cogna with the final vowel intact as the case would seem to be in dunna. However, primitive -ô does come out as -a in Nandorin, cf. golda "Noldo" from ñgolodô, so a form dunnô might be capable of yielding dunna, but this primitive form would rather be a noun "dark person/thing", since primitive -ô, -nô are nominal rather than adjectival endings. Of course, Nandorin may have turned an original noun into an adjective, or developed an adjectival ending -a afresh. But all things considered *dunnâ still appears to be the best reconstruction of the primitive form.

The words dunna and scella raise the question of whether original final -â is actually preserved as -a following double consonants (as opposed to clusters of different consonants) in Nandorin.

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."

scella

noun. shade, screen

Probably noun. Primitive form given as skalnâ, derived from the stem SKAL1 "screen, hide (from light)" (LR:386). Since -nâ is an adjectival ending, often taking on the meaning of a kind of past participle, skalnâ must mean "screened, hidden (from light)"; this has become a noun "shade, screen" in Nandorin.

The word scella, sciella alone tells us that ln is assimilated to ll in Nandorin, and as in dunna, spenna a primitive final -â, usually lost, seems to persist as -a following a double consonant. The shift of a to e in skalnâ > scella is parallelled by the similar shift in spannâ > spenna, q.v. However, such a shift does not occur in what might seem to be similar environments (before a double consonant?); cf. hrassa, not hressa, from khrassê. It would seem that e might further break up into ie, scella having the alternative form sciella.

sciella

noun. shade, screen

>> scella

spenna

noun. cloud

Derived from a stem SPAN "white" (LR:387), but hardly a direct cognate of Quenya fanya and Telerin spania (both probably from spanjâ), nor a direct cognate of Sindarin faun, stated to be derived from spâna. Rather spenna must derive from spannâ, sc. the stem SPAN with the adjectival ending -nâ (or possibly the simpler adjectival ending -â combined with a medial strengthening n > nn). As for the change of a to e, cf. scella from skalnâ.

nargûn

place name. Mordor

narâg

adjective. black