The Sindarin word for “wanderer”, also translated “wandering man, pilgrim”, a combination of √RAN “wander” and dîr “man” (PE17/60; VT42/13). It was most notably used in Gandalf’s name Mithrandir “Grey Pilgrim, Grey Wanderer” (LotR/670, 827). In one place the final syllable had a long í: randír (VT42/13); this is peculiar since long vowels usually shorten in final syllables.
Conceptual Development: The Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s had G. amrog “nomand, wanderer”, with feminine variant G. amraith or amrad, based on G. amra- “go up and down = wander” (GL/19). A possible Gnomish plural form amruith appears in amruith-torni “✱gipsies”; see that entry for details. The Etymologies of the 1930s had N. rhandir “wanderer, pilgrim” under the ᴹ√RAN “wander, stray” (Ety/RAN), the same as its later form except with the Noldorin-only sound change of initial r becoming voiceless rh.
Sindarin name of Gandalf, translated “Grey Pilgrim” (LotR/670) or “Grey Wanderer” (LotR/827). This name is a combination of mith “grey” and randir “wanderer, pilgrim” (SA/mith, PE17/60, VT42/13).
Conceptual Development: When this name first appeared in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, it was already N. Mithrandir with the translations given above (TI/251).