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”.

Elements

Word	Gloss
gil	“star; (bright) spark, silver glint, twinkle of light”
estel	“hope, trust, hope, trust, *faith [in]”

Variations

• Gil-Orestel ✧ WJ/246; WJI/Gil-Estel