Name for the Nandor of Beleriand meaning “Green-elves” (S/96), a compound of laica “green” and the plural of Quendë “Elf”. In one place (WJ/385), Tolkien said this name was not much used.
Conceptual Development: The earliest form of this name was ᴹQ. Laiqeldar (SM/270), because at the time Tolkien used Eldar as a generic term for Elves. This version contained an earlier Quenya word for “green”: ᴹQ. laiqa. The name changed to ᴹQ. Laiqendi when Tolkien revised his naming scheme for Elves (LR/176, Ety/LÁYAK). The name retained this form into the published version of The Silmarillion, despite the change of ᴹQ. laiqa >> Q. laica (PE17/84), though later it could have derived the “qu” from the element Quendë.
Laiquendi noun "Green-elves", not much used (translated from Sindarin Laegil, Laegelrim) (WJ:385, SA:quen-/quet-, LÁYAK; spelt "Laiqendi" in the latter source)