dofn

adjective. gloomy

dofn

adjective. gloomy

A word given as N. dofn “gloomy” in The Etymologies of the 1930s with variant dufui, both derivatives from the root ᴹ√DUB “loom, hang over oppressively (of clouds)” (Ety/DUB; EtyAC/DUB). The form dofn is the cognate of ᴹQ. lumna “lying heavy, oppressive” and shows a-affection, whereas dufui seems to be a Noldorin invention using the adjective suffix -ui, and thus preserves its primitive stem-vowel u.

Neo-Sindarin: For Neo-Sindarin, I’d write both forms as ᴺS. dovn and duvui to better reflect their pronunciation.

Cognates

• ᴹQ. lumna “lying heavy, burdensome, oppressive, ominous” ✧ Ety/DUB

Derivations

• ᴹ√DUB “lie, lie heavy, loom, hang over oppressively (of clouds)” ✧ Ety/DUB

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
ᴹ√DUB > dofn	[dubna] > [dumna] > [domna] > [domn] > [dovn]	✧ Ety/DUB
ᴹ√DUB > dufui	[dubui] > [duvui]	✧ Ety/DUB

Variations

• dufui ✧ EtyAC/DUB

dufui

adjective. gloomy