gil

root. GIL

gillingalati

masculine name. radiant stars, Gil-galad

gilyā

noun. silver spark

(ñ)gil

root. shine (white); silver glint; white or silver light

This root was the basis for Elvish words for stars and starlight, especially in the Sindarin branch of the Elvish languages. It first appeared as ᴱ√Gil- in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s with derivatives like G. gil- “gleam”, G. giltha “white metal, †silver”, and (probably) G. gail “star” (GL/37-38). Its Early Qenya derivatives were ᴱQ. ilsa “mystic name of silver” (QL/42) and ᴱQ. īle “star” (GL/37), indicating the true form of the root was probably ᴱ√ƷILI, since initial voiced stops were unvoiced in Early Qenya, so that ancient ✱gīle would become ✱✱kíle, not íle.

This root appeared as ᴹ√GIL “shine (white or pale)” in The Etymologies of the 1930s with derivatives like N. geil “star” and ᴹQ. Ilma “Starlight” (Ety/GIL). The root regularly appeared in this unstrengthened form in Tolkien’s later writing, for example as √GIL “shine (white)” in a 1955 letter to David Masson (PE17/152) or as gil “white or silver light” in a 1958 letter to Rhona Beare (Let/278). In one place Tolkien considered giving it a kil- variant, analogous to √GAL vs. √KAL for “(golden) light” (PE17/50), but that seems to have been a transient idea. In other notes dating to the late 1950s Tolkien gave the root in strengthened form as √NGIL “silver glint” (MR/388; PE17/22) and also √GIL >> √ÑGIL as the basis for the initial element of the name S. Gil-galad (PE17/23).

Neo-Eldarin: For purposes of Neo-Eldarin, I think it is best to assume the root was originally unstrengthened √GIL, but was sometimes strengthened to √ÑGIL to produce words like Q. ñille “silver glint”.

ñgillē

noun. silver glint

baradā

adjective. Varda

elen

noun. star

gardā

noun. region

kalinā

adjective. bright

tini

noun. spark

ēl

noun. star

gil

noun. gil

n. -.

gil

noun. star; (bright) spark, silver glint, twinkle of light

The usual word for “star” in Sindarin which replaced archaic/poetic êl; it originally meant “(bright) spark” (RGEO/65; VT42/11). It was derived from the root √(Ñ)GIL meaning “shine (white)” (PE17/152) or “silver glint” (MR/388; PE17/22).

Conceptual Development: This word first appeared as G. gail “a star” in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s (GL/42), derived from the early root ᴱ√Gil- (GL/38). In the Early Noldorin Grammar Tolkien said ᴱN. gail meant “sign, token, heavenly body” (PE13/123); earlier in this document he gave it the gloss {“life” >>} “sign” (PE13/120 and note #6). In Early Noldorin Word-lists written somewhat later, gail again simply meant “star” (PE13/143), and it was used this way in the Nebrachar poem from around 1930 (MC/217).

In The Etymologies of the 1930s Tolkien gave it as N. geil “star” from primitive ᴹ✶gilya under the root ᴹ√GIL “shine (white or pale)” (Ety/GIL; EtyAC/GIL). Christopher Tolkien incorrectly marked geil as a plural form in The Etymologies as published in The Lost Road (LR/358), but Carl Hostetter and Patrick Wynne corrected this in their Addenda and Corrigenda to the Etymologies (VT45/15). Remnants of this 1930s derivation can be seen in the forms geil/gail in notes from the 1950s, derived from ancient ✶gilyā “silver spark” (PE17/30, 152). Mostly, however, Tolkien represented this word as gil in later writings, including in The Lord of the Rings Appendix E (LotR/1113).

Possible Etymology: The etymology of gil is complicated by Tolkien’s vacillation with the singular form gail (†geil) < ✶gilyā, where the diphthong ai is the result of a-affection of the base vowel from i to e, which after i-intrusion produced ei and this diphthong became ai as usual in final syllables and monosyllables: gilyā [ >✱geli(a)] > geil > gail. Signs of this etymology can be seen in the class plural giliath as in S. Dagor-nuin-Giliath “Battle-under-Stars” (S/106).

With this alternate derivation, the plural form would still be gîl, since the ancient plural -ī prevented a-affection, and the prefixal form likewise would have been gil- (PE17/152). However, this derivation conflicts with Tolkien’s usual presentation of the singular form as gil. In some places Tolkien gave a primitive form like ✶(ñ)gillē (PE17/23) or a Sindarin form gill (PE17/50), but I think it is best to assume primitive ✱gili- to explain singular gil and class-plural giliath.

gil

noun. star, bright spark

In The Etymologies (Ety/358, corrected by VT/45:15), this word was given as geil , plural gîl. However, later in LotR/E and RGEO/73, Tolkien seems to consider gil as a singular (with no hints in the sources of what the plural would be, besides the collective plural giliath )

gil-amdir

proper name. Gil-Amdir

An earlier form of Gil-Estel, with amdir “hope” instead of estel “hope” (WJ/246).

gilammoth

place name. Gilammoth

A rejected name for Nan Elmoth in “The Lay of Leithian Recommenced” from the 1950s (LB/349). The name might be to be a combination of gil “star” and moth “dusk”.

gilbarad

masculine name. Gilbarad

Father of Ivorwen and maternal grandfather of Gilraen, mother of Aragorn (PM/263). The name appears to be a combination of gil “star” and barad “tower”.

gildor

masculine name. Gildor

There are two characters with this name in Tolkien’s writings: a Noldorin Elf who met Frodo as he was leaving the Shire with the surname Inglorion (LotR/80), and a man in the band of outlaws led by Barahir (S/155). The name appears to be a combination of gil “star” and this suffix -dor “lord”.

Conceptual Development: The outlaw N. Gildor first appeared in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (LR/133), while Inglorion first appeared in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s (RS/60).

Gilraen

noun. Gilraen

prop. n. >> raen

gail

silver spark

pl1. gîl, pl2. giliath _ n. _silver spark. >> gail, geil

geil

silver spark

pl1. gîl, pl2. giliath _ n. _silver spark. >> gail

gail

noun. silver spark, silver spark, [ᴱN.] star; sign, token, heavenly body

gil-estel

proper name. Star of (High) Hope

A name give to Vingilótë after it became a star, translated “Star of High Hope” (S/250). This name is a combination of gil “star” and estel “hope” (SA/gil).

Conceptual Development: In Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s, this name first appeared as Gil-Orrain of the same meaning, later revised to Gil-Amdir and finally Gil-Estel (WJ/246). On the carbon copy of the original revision, Orestel was written above Orrain; this fits better with the English translations, with Or- < ar(a)- “high”.

gil-galad

masculine name. Starlight, (lit.) Star of Radiance

Last high-king of the Noldor and leader of the elves in the Last Alliance against Sauron at the end of the Second Age (LotR/52). His name is a compound of S. gil “star” and S. galad “radiance, glittering reflection”, the latter also an element in the name S. Galadriel “Glittering-garland” (RGEO/65, Let/425). In The Lord of the Rings his name was translated “Starlight” (LotR/191) but elsewhere Tolkien translated this name in various ways all roughly with the meaning: “Star of Radiance” (PM/347), which was the translation used by Christopher Tolkien in The Silmarillion index (SI/Gil-galad).

Conceptual Development: This name appeared in The Etymologies from the 1930s as N. Gil-galad “Starlight” (Ety/GIL). At this stage, the final element was probably the lenited form of N. calad “light” (PE17/50), though N. galad also appeared in The Etymologies with the gloss “light” (EtyAC/GAL).

gil-orrain

proper name. Star of High Hope

The earliest form of Gil-Estel with the same translation “Star of High Hope” (WJ/246). The second element might begin with Or- < ar(a)- “high”, but the origin of the final -rain is unclear.

gilmith

feminine name. *Grey Star

Sister of S. Galador, the first lord of Dol Amroth (UT/248), perhaps a combination of S. gil “star” and S. mith “grey”.

gilraen

feminine name. *Netted Stars

Aragorn’s mother (LotR/1113). Her name is a combination of gil “star” and raen “netted, enlaced”, meaning “one adorned with a tressure set with small gems in its network” (VT42/11), more more loosely “✱Netted Star”.

Conceptual Development: In drafts of the Lord of the Rings appendices, her name was Gilrain (PM/196). In notes from the 1950s, he indicated the second element of her name was raen “smiling, gracious, sweet-faced” (PE17/182).

gilrain

place name. *Wandering Star

A river in Gondor (LotR/875), a combination of gil “star” and rain “erratic wandering” (UT/242, VT42/12-3). Note that the river name Gilraen in The Silmarillion appendix is a typo (SA/ran), since that form is the name of Aragorn’s mother.

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, this river was first named N. Lameduin.

gilthoniel

feminine name. Star-kindler

A title of Elbereth (LotR/238) translated “Star-kindler” (RGEO/64, Let/278), the equivalent of Q. Tintallë (MR/388). This name is a combination of gil “star”, a derivative of the root √THAN “kindle” and the feminine suffix -iel (PE17/22-3, MR/388).

Conceptual Development: The name N. Gilthoniel appeared in The Etymologies from the 1930s with essentially the same derivation as the one given above, except that the middle element was from the root ᴹ√TAN “make, fashion”, and the gloss was “Star-maker” (Ety/GIL, TAN). When this name first appeared in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, it was Gilthonieth, a form that also appeared in The Etymologies, but it was soon revised to Gilthoniel (RS/68). In some notes from the 1950s, Tolkien considered the possibility that the final element thoniel was a special past-tense agental formation meaning “kindler (in the past)” (PE17/82).

Gil-galad

noun. star of radiance

gîl (“star, bright spark”) + galad (“light, radiance”) Reinterpreted from gil + calad “star light” [Etym. KAL-]

Gilthoniel

'Star-kindler'

theon.'Star-kindler'. Q. Tintalle. THĂN/THĀN << TÁN << TON; ÑGIL << GIL.

gilgalad

noun. 'Starlight'

prop. n. 'Starlight'. >> gil-

Gil-galad

noun. 'Radiant Star

pl1. Gilgelaid** ** prop. n. 'Radiant Star(s), Star-light'. See also the (prob. primitive) form Gillingalati. >> galad

gil-

prefix. spark

_ pref. _spark, often used for 'star'. Form of gail/geil in compounds. >> gail, geil, Gilgalad

Gil-Estel (Eärendil)

noun. star of hope

gîl (“star, bright spark”) + estel (“hope”)

Gildor

noun. noble star

gîl (“star, bright spark”) + taur (“noble, king, lord”) The second element is only used poetically, as -dor often found in names [Etym. TĀ-].

Gilthoniel

noun. star-kindler

gîl (pl. of gîl “star, bright spark”) + thóniel (perf. act. part. of than- “kindle, set light to”) #[HKF] it is possible that iel is just iell “daughter” [Etym. SEL-D] traditional ending for women’s names.

Gil-galad

noun. 'Star of light'

prop. n. 'Star of (clear) light'. >> gal-

Gilthoniel

Starkindler

_ theon. _Starkindler (in past). >> thoniel

gil-

noun. star

giliath

noun. all the host of stars

gill

noun. star

a elbereth gilthoniel

o Elbereth who lit the stars

a elbereth gilthoniel

o Elbereth who lit the stars

Gil-galad

Gil-galad

Gil-galad is a Sindarin name, meaning "Star of bright light". The name consists of the elements gil ("star") + galad ("radiance"). According to a note this name was given to him because of the brightness of his eyes .

Gilrain

Gilrain

The first element in the Sindarin name Gilrain is gil ("spark"), and the second element derives from the root RAN ("wander, stray").

giliath

giliath

The first element is gil ("star"), and the second element is likely the plural ending -ath.

Gilraen

Gilraen

The name Gilraen is said to mean "(Lady) netted with Stars",[source?] as she wore a ceremonial headgarb with many jewels.

gail

bright

gail (light), lenited ngail; no distinct pl. form (VT45:18). The adj. calen etymologically means "bright", but is used = "green" (q.v.).

gail

bright

(light), lenited ngail; no distinct pl. form (VT45:18). The adj. calen etymologically means "bright", but is used = "green" (q.v.).

gilwen

region of stars

(Quenya Ilmen), also Gilith. In the Etymologies, this word is derived from a root GIL (LR:358) and would then have the form ’Ilwen (’Ilwith) when lenited. But in a later source, Tolkien cited the relevant root as ÑGIL (MR:388), and the lenited form would then be Ngilwen (Ngilwith).

gilwen

ilmen

also Gilith. In one late source, Tolkien cited the relevant root as ÑGIL (MR:388) and the lenited form would then be Ngilwen (Ngilwith). (In the Etymologies, the root was given as GIL, and the lenited form would then be ’Ilwen / ’Ilwith.)

Gilwen

ilmen

(Quenya: the region of stars) Gilwen, also Gilith. In one late source, Tolkien cited the relevant root as _Ñ

Gilwen

region of stars

Gilwen (Quenya Ilmen), also Gilith. In the Etymologies, this word is derived from a root _

Gilwen

region of stars

Gilwen (Quenya Ilmen), also Gilith. In the Etymologies, Tolkien derived these words from a root _

gildin

silver spark

gildin (i ngildin = i ñildin, o n**gildin = o ñgildin), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gildin** = i ñgildin). ”

gilgalad

starlight

1) gilgalad (i ngilgalad = i ñilgalad, o n**gilgalad, pl. gilgelaid (in gilgelaid = i ñgilgelaid) if there is a plural form. 2) gilith (also used = Quenya Ilmen, the region of stars) (i ngilith = i ñilith, o n**gilith) _These mutations presupposed that the root is Ñ, as in MR:388, rather than _ as in the Etymologies (LR:358).

gilgalad

starlight

(i ngilgalad = i ñilgalad, o n’gilgalad, pl. gilgelaid (in gilgelaid = i ñgilgelaid) if there is a plural form.

gilion

of stars

(lenited ngilion; pl. gilioen). Archaic ✱giliaun.

gilion

of stars

(adj.) gilion (lenited ngilion; pl. gilioen). Archaic *giliaun.

gilith

starlight

(also used = Quenya Ilmen, the region of stars) (i ngilith = i ñilith, o n’gilith) These mutations presupposed that the root is

gil-

verb. to gleam, shine pale and silver (as of the moon [or stars])

gîl

silver glint

(i ngîl = i ñîl, o n’gîl = o ñgîl, construct gil) (star, bright spark), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. *giliath (RGEO, MR:388)*

gîl

star

gîl (i ngîl = i ñîl, o n**gîl, construct gil) (bright spark, silver glint), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. giliath** (RGEO, MR:388). Poetic †êl (elen-, pl. elin, coll. pl. elenath) (RGEO, Letters:281, WJ:363).

gîl

star

(i ngîl = i ñîl, o n’gîl, construct gil) (bright spark, silver glint), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. giliath **(RGEO, MR:388). Poetic †êl (elen-, pl. **elin, coll. pl. elenath) (RGEO, Letters:281, WJ:363).

gîl

bright spark

(i ngîl = i ñîl, construct gil) (star, silver glint), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. *giliath** (RGEO, MR:388)*

gîl

silver glint

gîl (i ngîl = i ñîl, o n**gîl = o ñgîl, construct gil) (star, bright spark), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. giliath** (RGEO, MR:388)

gîl

silver glint

gîl (i ngîl = i ñîl, o n**gîl = o ñgîl, construct gil) (star, bright spark), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. giliath** (RGEO, MR:388).

Ngilwen

gil

_ (MR:388) and the lenited form would then be Ngilwen (Ngilwith). (In the Etymologies, the root was given as GIL, and the lenited form would then be Ilwen / Ilwith.)

Ngilwen

gil

_ (MR:388), and the lenited form would then be Ngilwen (Ngilwith).

Ngilwen

gil

_ (MR:388), and the lenited form would then be Ngilwen (Ngilwith).

Ilwen

gil

_ (LR:358) and would then have the form Ilwen (Ilwith) when lenited. But in a later source, Tolkien cited the relevant root as _Ñ

Ilwen

gil

_ (LR:358), and the lenited forms would thus be Ilwen, Ilwith. But in a later source, Tolkien cited the relevant root as _Ñ

êl

noun. star

A Sindarin word for “star” that is largely archaic and poetic, and is mainly used as element in names like Elrond (Let/281; WJ/363; Ety/EL); the more usual word for “star” in ordinary speech was gil (RGEO/65). However, the collective form elenath is still used in common speech to refer to the entire host of stars (WJ/363). The plural of êl is elin, as this word was derived from ancient ✶elen, and the final n that was lost in the singular was preserved in the plural. In some cases Tolkien posited a restored analogical singular elen from the plural form (PE17/24, 67, 139), but this isn’t in keeping with the notion that the word was archaic, so I would ignore this for purposes of Neo-Sindarin.

Conceptual Development: This word and its root first appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s, where N. el “star” was derived from the root ᴹ√EL of similar meaning, but was “only [used] in names” (Ety/EL). It seems Tolkien introduced the root to give a new etymology for names like N. Elrond and N. Elwing, which initially appeared under the root ᴹ√ƷEL “sky” (Ety/ƷEL).

glithui

place name. Glithui

A small river in western Beleriand (UI/38), appearing sometimes as Gilthui (WJ/186). The meaning of this name is unclear.

gell

joy

(i ’ell) (triumph), pl. gill (i ngill = i ñill).

gell

triumph

gell (i **ell) (joy), pl. gill (i ngill** = i ñill)

gell

triumph

(i ’ell) (joy), pl. gill (i ngill = i ñill)

glass

joy

1) glass (i **lass, constuct glas), pl. glais (in glais), 2) gell (i **ell) (triumph), pl. gill (i ngill = i ñill).

thoniel

kindler

(pl. thonil). Isolated from Varda’s title Gilthoniel, Star-kindler.

region

noun. holly-tree area

[HKF] reg (Dor. regorn “holly tree”) + ion (Dor. gen. pl. suffix) = Dor. Regornion [Etym. ERÉK-]

ardhon

noun. great region, province

ardhon

noun. world

el

star

n. star.

elen

star

pl1. elin, pl2. elenath _n._star. Its collective plural (pl2.) designates 'the (host of all the) stars, (all) the (visible) stars of the firmament'. Q. elen, pl1. eldi, eleni. o menel aglar elenath ! lit. 'from Firmament glory of the stars !'. >> êl

elen

noun. star

gardh

noun. bounded or defined region

gardh

noun. world

gardh

noun. region

glingal

proper name. Hanging Flame

A Sindarin name for Q. Laurelin (S/126) translated “Hanging Flame” (LR/210). It is a combination of the verb [N.] gling- “to hang” and the root √KAL (Ety/LING, KAL).

Conceptual Development: In the earliest Lost Tales this name appeared as G. Glingol “Singing Gold”, a more direct equivalent of ᴱQ. Laurelin (LT2/216). The form N. Glingal appeared in late changes to the Lays of Beleriand from the 1920s (LB/80), and Tolkien revised its derivation and translation to the ones given above in The Etymologies from the 1930s (Ety/LING, KAL).

glân

adjective. bright, shining white

The word is deduced from its mutated form, but it is worth mentioning that a stem GALÁN "bright", with glan "daylight" (and later "clear") as derivative, is listed in the Etymologies (not included in the published text, but see VT/45:13). Most of the words meaning "white" in the Indo-Eureopean languages come from the original notion of "brightness", e.g. Greek leukós "white" is cognate with Latin lucere "to shine", lux "light". This association of sense is also found in Gnomish, PE/11:39 (glan "clean, pure", from "bright" originally) and in Early Noldorin (PE/13:144, glann "clean"). The similarity with Welsh glan (where the vowel, incidentally, is also long, though this is concealed by Welsh orthographic convention) is also striking

rhîw

noun. winter season

rhîw

noun. winter

tin

noun. spark

_ n. _spark, sparkle (esp. used of the twinkle of stars). >> ithildin

tinu

noun. spark, small star

tîn

spark

n. spark, star. Q. tinwe spark (Poet. star).

êl

noun. star (little used except in verses)

êl

star

pl1. elin, pl2. elenath** ** n. star. Q. elen, pl1. eldi, eleni, pl2. elelli. >> elen

aran

king of a region

(pl. erain)

ardh

region

1) ardh (realm), pl. erdh, also in augmented form ardhon (great region, great province, world), pl. erdhyn, coll. pl. ardhonnath. 2) dôr (i nôr, construct dor) (dwelling place, land), pl. dŷr (i ndŷr) (WJ:413), 3) gardh (i **ardh) (bounded or defined place), pl. gerdh (i ngerdh = i ñerdh), 4) gwaith (i **waith) (manhood, manpower, troop of able-bodied men, host, regiment, people, wilderness), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gwaith).

ardh

region

(realm), pl. erdh, also in augmented form ardhon (great region, great province, world), pl. erdhyn, coll. pl. ardhonnath.

dôr

region

(i nôr, construct dor) (dwelling place, land), pl. dŷr (i ndŷr) (WJ:413)

elbereth

varda

gardh

region

(i ’ardh) (bounded or defined place), pl. gerdh (i ngerdh = i ñerdh)

glass

joy

(i ’lass, constuct glas), pl. glais (in glais)

glinga

hang

*glinga- (i **linga, in glingar**) (dangle). Cited as ”gling” in the source (LR369 s.v. LING)

glinga

hang

(i ’linga, in glingar) (dangle). Cited as ”gling” in the source (LR369 s.v. LING)

gwaith

region

(i ’waith) (manhood, manpower, troop of able-bodied men, host, regiment, people, wilderness), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gwaith).

ithilgalad

3Gな%xな#2# noun. light of the moon, moonlight

ithilgalad

3Gな%xな#2# noun. light of the moon, moonlight

rhîw

winter

rhîw (?i thrîw or ?i rîw the lenition product of rh- is uncertain); no distinct pl. form except with article (?idh rîw)

rhîw

winter

(?i thrîw or ?i rîw – *the lenition product of rh- is uncertain*); no distinct pl. form except with article (?idh rîw)

tim

small star

(MR:388). Archaic tinw, so the coll. pl. is likely  tinwath. 3)

tinna

glint

(vb.) *tinna- (cited as a ”Noldorin” infinitive tinno) (i dinna, i thinnar). Noun

tinna

glint

(cited as a ”Noldorin” infinitive tinno) (i dinna, i thinnar). Noun

tint

spark

1) tint (i dint, o thint), no distinct pl. form except with article (i thint), coll. pl. tinnath; 2) tinu (i dinu, o thinu; also -din at the end of compounds), analogical pl. tiny (i thiny). The word is also used =

tint

spark

(i dint, o thint), no distinct pl. form except with article (i thint), coll. pl. tinnath

tinu

spark

(i dinu, o thinu; also -din at the end of compounds), analogical pl. tiny (i thiny). The word is also used =

gildor

masculine name. Gildor

geil

noun. star

geil

noun. star, bright spark

gilith

noun. starlight, *region of the stars

A word in The Etymologies of the 1930s glossed “starlight” under the root ᴹ√GIL “shine (white or pale)” with variant forms Gilith and {?Gilwen >>} Gilfen (Ety/GIL; EtyAC/GIL). Elsewhere in The Etymologies, Tolkien compared gilith to N. gwilith “air as a region” and equated it to ᴹQ. Ilmen (Ety/WIL), so it seems Tolkien also intended it to mean “region of the stars”, though Gilfen is more likely as the direct cognate of ᴹQ. Ilmen.

gilbrennil

feminine name. Varda

A name for Varda appearing in The Etymologies from the 1930s (Ety/GIL), a combination of geil “star” and brennil “lady”. This name was probably replaced by Elbereth.

gildin

noun. silver spark

A noun in The Etymologies of the 1930s glossed “silver spark”, a combination of the root ᴹ√GIL and ᴹ√TIN (Ety/TIN). Presumably this refers to stars, since both roots also have derivatives referring to stars.

gil-galad

masculine name. Starlight

gilthoniel

feminine name. Star-maker, Lady of the Stars

gildin

noun. silver spark

gilgalad

noun. starlight

gilhof

noun. dew, *(lit.) star-juice

giliath

noun. all the host of stars

a tiro’men gilthoniel

*oh watch us, Gilthoniel

elbereth gilthoniel

Elbereth Gilthoniel

gilith

noun. region above air where stars are

cf. Q ilmen

glingal

proper name. Hanging Flame

bredhil

feminine name. Varda

A Noldorin name for Varda appearing in the earliest Silmarillion drafts from the late 1920s, replacing older G. Bridhil (SM/43). It also appeared in The Etymologies from the 1930s as a derivative of ON. Bradil (Ety/BARÁD), but these names were rejected and possibly replaced by N. Berethil or N. Elbereth (Ety/BARATH).

el

noun. star

gell

noun. joy, triumph

glas

noun. joy

glas

noun. joy

glass

noun. joy

gling-

verb. to hang, dangle

rhíw

noun. winter

tinna-

verb. to glint

tint

noun. spark

tint

noun. spark

tinw

noun. spark, small star

Ilma

starlight

Ilma noun "starlight" (GIL)

Ilmarë

starlight

Ilmarë noun "starlight", also fem. name, referring to a Maia (GIL, SA:ilm-)

tinwë

spark

tinwë noun "spark" (gloss misquoted as "sparkle" in the Etymologies as printed in LR, see VT46:19), also "star"; pl. tinwi "sparks", properly used of the star-imagines on Nur-menel (q.v.). Cf. nillë. (TIN, MR:388) In early "Qenya", tinwë was simply glossed "star" (LT1:269, cf. MC:214). In one late source, the meaning of tinwë is given as "spark", and it is said that this word (like Sindarin gil) was used of the stars of heaven "in place of the older and more elevated el, elen- stem" (VT42:11).

nillë

silver glint

nillë ("ñ") a star-imagine on Nur-menel (q.v.), from a stem ngil- noun "silver glint" (MR:388)

ilma Reconstructed

proper name. Starlight

An (archaic?) name for “Starlight”, it is not directly attested in Tolkien’s later writing, but appears as an element in several names (SA/ilm). It is a derivative of the root √(Ñ)GIL “shine (white)”. Elsewhere, the usual Quenya word for “starlight” is given as silmë (LotR/1123).

Conceptual Development: ᴱQ. ilma “air” appeared in Early Qenya Word-lists of the 1920s (PE16/142). The name ᴹQ. Ilma “Starlight” is directly attested in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (LR/205), where it first appeared as Silma (SM/240). Ilma also appeared in The Etymologies as a derivative of ᴹ√GIL (Ety/GIL), which is the source of the etymology noted above.

Hesin

winter

Hesin noun "winter" (LT1:255; LotR-style Quenya has hrívë instead)

Yelin

winter

Yelin noun "winter" (LT1:260; LotR-style Quenya has hrívë, and Yelin was probably obsoleted together with the adjective yelwa_ "cold", that appears with a different meaning in the Etymologies)._

Yón

region, any (fairly extensive) region between obstacles such as rivers or mountains

yón (2), variant of yondë, q.v. Defined as "a region, any (fairly extensive) region _between obstacles such as rivers or mountains" (PE17:43)_

alassë

joy, merriment

alassë (1) noun "joy, merriment" (GALÁS) [VT42:32; a gloss "mirth" was deleted, VT45:14]

calima

bright

calima adj. "bright" (VT42:32); cf. ancalima; in PE17:56, arcalima appears as another superlative "brightest" (see ar- #2).

elen

star

elen noun "star" (SA:êl, elen, EL, VT49:39); pl. eleni (occasionally in verse: eldi) (WJ:362, PE17:127); partitive pl. elelli for elenli (PE17:127), gen. pl. elenion in the phrase Elenion Ancalima "brightest of stars" (LotR2:IV ch. 9; see Letters:385 for translation); elen atta "two stars" (VT49:44), genitive elen atto "of two stars" (VT49:45), eleni neldë "three stars", archaic elenion neldë = "of stars three". Genitive "of 3 stars" = elenion neldë (for archaic elenion neldëo) (VT49:45). Allative elenna "starwards" used as name of Númenor _(Silm; see Elenna)_; ablative pl. elenillor "from stars" in Markirya. **Nai elen siluva ***"may a star shine", VT49:38.

elen

noun. star

The most common Quenya word for “star”, mentioned very frequently, derived from an extended form ✶elen of the root √EL “behold” (PE17/67; WJ/360, 362). Its usual plural form is eleni, but it has an archaic plural †eldi sometimes used in verse, the result of the Ancient Quenya sound whereby [[aq|[ln] became [ld]]] after the ancient plural underwent the Quenya syncope, ✶elenī > AQ. elni; its normal modern plural form eleni was actually a reformation from the singular (PE17/57, 151; WJ/362).

Conceptual Development: This word first appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s, though in the original entry for the root ᴹ√EL Tolkien said it was poetical and gave variants ellen and elena (Ety/EL).

hríve

noun. winter

hrívë

winter

hrívë noun "winter", in the calendar of Imladris a precisely defined period of 72 days, but also used without any exact definition (Appendix D). Yá hrívë tenë, ringa ná "when winter comes (arrives, is with us), it is cold" (VT49:23; Tolkien changed tenë to menë, p. 24). The word Hrívion, heading a section of the poem The Trees of Kortirion that has to do with the "fading time", would seem to be related (LT1:42)

hrívë

noun. winter

isilmë

moonlight

isilmë (þ) noun "moonlight", occurring in Markirya; free translation "the moon" in MC:215 (isilmë ilcalassë, literally "moonlight gleaming-in" = "in the moon gleaming"). Isilmë also appears as the name of a Númenorean woman (UT:210).

isilmë

noun. moonlight

A word loosely translated as “moon” in the Markirya poem of the 1960s (MC/222), but more accurately “moonlight” according to the glossary following the poem (MC/223), perhaps an elaboration of Q. silmë “starlight” under the influence of Q. Isil “moon”.

Conceptual Development: A similar word ᴱQ. silma “a ray of moonlight” appeared in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s, derived from the early root ᴱ√SILI which was also the basis for ᴱQ. Sil “moon” (QL/83).

linga-

hang, dangle

linga- vb. "hang, dangle" (LING/GLING, VT45:15, 27)

ména

region

ména noun "region" (MEN). Not to be confused with the present/continuative tense of #men- "go".

sil-

verb. shine (white)

silmë

starlight

silmë noun "starlight", also name of tengwa #29 (Appendix E), though in the pre-classical Tengwar system presupposed in the Etymologies, the name silmë instead applied to tengwa #3 (VT46:13). Silmë nuquerna "_s reversed", name of tengwa #30, similar to normal silmë but turned upside down (Appendix E)_. In the Etymologies, stem SIL, silmë is defined as the "light of Silpion" (Telperion), and also a poetic word for "silver".

silmë

noun. starlight, starlight; [ᴹQ.] silver [light], moonlight, light of Silpion

A word for “starlight” and also the name of tengwa #29 [i] (LotR/1123), clearly derived from the root √SIL.

Conceptual Development: The earliest hint of this word was in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s where ᴱQ. silmea seems to be an adjective meaning “✱lunar” (QL/56). ᴱQ. silme also seems to be an adjectival element “gleaming, silver” in ᴱQ. silmerána “gleaming moon, silver moon” from the Oilima Markirya poem and its drafts from around 1930 (MC/220; PE16/75). In The Etymologies of the 1930s ᴹQ. silme was derived from primitive ᴹ✶silimē “light of Silpion, †silver” under the root ᴹ√SIL “shine silver” (Ety/SIL) and thus seems to mean “moonlight”. Indeed, silme had the gloss “moonlight” in notes on The Feanorian Alphabet from the 1930s and 40s (PE22/22, 51), where it was already the name of tengwa #29. It became “starlight” in Appendix E of The Lord of the Rings, however (LotR/1123), and elsewhere “moonlight” was isilmë (MC/223).

tin-

glint, spark, glitter

tin- vb. "glint, spark, glitter" (3rd pers. aorist tinë "it glints") (TIN, PE17:69)

tindë

glint

tindë noun "glint" (TIN)

wintil

glint

wintil noun "glint" (LT1:261)

yón

noun. region

él

star

†él noun "star", pl. éli given (WJ:362, EL)

él

noun. star

An archaic or poetic word for star (WJ/362), somewhat common in compounds but in ordinary speech typically appearing as elen. It was derived directly from the primitive root √EL “behold”, the basis for other star words (PM/340; WJ/360).

Conceptual Development: This word first appeared as poetical ᴹQ. él “star” in The Etymologies of the 1930s, already with the derivation given above, though in this document the root ᴹ√EL meant “star” (Ety/EL), a common gloss for the root in later writings as well.

ílë

star

ílë noun "star" (LT1:269; rather elen, él in LotR-style Quenya.)

alassëa

`Cな#,F`C adjective. happy, joyous

Alassë (joy/merriment) + -a (adjectival suffix)

ilmen

Ilmen

Christopher Tolkien has noted that Ilmen is related to such words as Ilmarë and Ilmarin.

gimilnitîr

feminine name. Star-kindler

A title of the goddess Avradî (Q. Varda) translated “Star-kindler” (SD/428), and therefore the Adûnaic equivalent of S. Gilthoniel. The first element gimil means “stars”, and the second is an agental-formation for the verb nitir- “to kindle” (SD/427-8).

elen

noun. star

él

noun. star