A word given as maða “mud” in the Outline of Phonology (OP2) of the 1950s, a derivative of ✶mazgō (PE19/101). A similar form N. mada [probably a slip for maða] appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s with the gloss “soft, pliant, yielding” as a derivative of madhgh < ᴹ√MASAG (EtyAC/MASAG). But this form was rejected and apparently replaced by N. moe “soft, pliant” < ON. maiga (Ety/MASAG). These variations seem to reflect shifting thoughts on the development of zg in Sindarin and Noldorin, either (in the 1930s) zg > i̯g to form diphthongs or (in the 1950s) zg > ðg > -ða.
Sindarin
madha
noun. mud
madha
noun. mud
mud