tenta- vb. "point to, point out; indicate; direct toward, be directed toward" (VT49:22-24). Compare hententa-, leptenta-, q.v. When constructed with a direct object, the verb may mean "go forth towards". In our examples, tenta is constructed with an allative (tentanë numenna "pointed westward", VT49:23; this may be the normal construction when the meaning is "point"). Pa.t. tentanë is attested (also with ending -s: tentanes "it pointed", VT49:26); there is also an alternative strong pa.t. form tenantë (VT49:22-23). Other examples of such double past tense forms (e.g. orta-) would suggest that the form tentanë is transitive ("pointed to/out, directed towards, went forth towards"), while tenantë is intransitive ("was directed towards"). Tolkien also considered the pa.t. form tentë, but emended it.
Quenya
hententa-
spot with eye
hententa-
verb. to spot with eye
Variations
- hententa ✧ VT49/24
tenta-
point to, point out; indicate; direct toward, be directed toward
leptenta-
point to/indicate with the finger
leptenta- vb. *"point to/indicate with the finger" (gloss suggested by Patrick Wynne) (VT49:24). Cf. tenta-, hententa-.
hententa- vb. "spot with eye" (direct the eye toward something) (VT49:24). Cf. tenta-, leptenta-.