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-Estel (Eärendil)

noun. star of hope

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