alcar

noun. radiance

radiance, splendour

alta

radiance

alta (2) noun "radiance" (VT42:32, PE17:50). Cf. variant ñalta.

alta

noun. radiance

fairë

radiance

fairë (3) noun "radiance" (PHAY)

Ancalë

radiant one

Ancalë noun("k") "radiant one" or "radiance" = Sun (KAL, VT45:5, 18). In the pre-classical Tengwar system presupposed in the Etymologies, Ancalë was the name of letter #7 (VT45:18), which tengwa Tolkien would later call anga instead changing its Quenya value from nc to ng. - Another source (VT45:36) cites the word for "radiance, Sun" as incalë ("k"), but the form Ancalë is probably to be preferred.

Altariel

galadriel

Altariel fem. name "Galadriel", "maiden crowned with a radiant garland" (SA:kal; the form Alatáriel is Telerin; see PM:347) Stem Altariell- seen in the genitive Altariello, occurring in the superscript of the Tengwar transcription of Namárië in RGEO.

altáriel

feminine name. Galadriel

The Quenya name of Galadriel, an adaptation of the Telerin name Alatáriel (UT/266, PM/347). See the entry on Galadriel for further discussion of this name’s history, and ✶Ñ(g)alatā-rigelle for a discussion of the conceptual development of its etymology.

Changes

• Altariel(le) → Kaltariel(le) “woman crowned with radiance” ✧ PE17/050
• altáriel → kaltáriel ✧ PE17/050

Cognates

• T. Alatáriel “Galadriel” ✧ NM/353; PM/347; UT/266
• S. Galadriel “Glittering-garland” ✧ PE17/050; PE17/169; PM/347; PMI/Galadriel; SA/kal; MR/182; NM/346

Derivations

• T. Alatáriel “Galadriel” ✧ PM/347
  • ✶Ñ(g)alatā-rigelle “maiden crowned with a garland of radiance” ✧ NM/353; NM/353; PE17/060
• ✶Ñ(g)alatā-rigelle “maiden crowned with a garland of radiance” ✧ MR/182; PE17/050; PE17/050

Derivatives

• S. Galadriel “Glittering-garland” ✧ PM/347

Element in

• Q. Altariello nainië Lóriendesse “Galadriel’s lament in Lórien” ✧ RGEO/58

Elements

Word	Gloss
alata	“radiance, glittering reflection”
riel(lë)	“garlanded maiden, maiden crowned with a festive garland”

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
✶galata-rīg-elle > Altariellë	[galatarīgelle] > [galtarīgelle] > [ɣaltarīɣelle] > [altarielle]	✧ MR/182
✶galatā-rigellē̆ > altáriel	[galatarīgelle] > [ɣalatārīgell] > [galtārīgell] > [ɣaltārīɣell] > [altāriell] > [altāriel]	✧ PE17/050
✶alatā-rigellē̆ > Altariel(le)	[galatārīgelle] > [galtārīgelle] > [ɣaltārīɣelle] > [altārielle]	✧ PE17/050
✶alatā-rigellē̆ > altáriel	[galatārīgelle] > [ɣaltārīɣelle] > [ɣaltārīɣelle] > [altārielle]	✧ PE17/050

Variations

• Altariellë ✧ MR/182; MRI/Altariellë
• Alatáriel ✧ NM/346
• Altariel(le) ✧ PE17/050 (Altariel(le)); PE17/050; PE17/169
• altáriel ✧ PE17/050 (altáriel); PE17/050
• Altariel ✧ PM/347; PMI/Galadriel
• Al(a)táriel ✧ SA/kal; UTI/Al(a)táriel

naltariel

feminine name. Galadriel

What the Quenya name of Altáriel (S. Galadriel) would have been if it had been coined in Quenya instead of adapted from Telerin (PM/347). This name is a compound of nalta “radiance, glittering reflection” and riel(lë) “garlanded maiden”. See S. Galadriel and ✶Ñ(g)alatā-rigelle for further discussion.

Cognates

• S. Galadriel “Glittering-garland” ✧ PE17/059; PE17/060
• T. Alatáriel “Galadriel” ✧ PE17/060

Derivations

• ✶Ñ(g)alatā-rigelle “maiden crowned with a garland of radiance” ✧ PE17/060

Elements

Word	Gloss
nalta	“radiance, glittering reflection”
riel(lë)	“garlanded maiden, maiden crowned with a festive garland”

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
✶ñgal(a)tā-rig-el- > Ñaltariel	[ŋgalatārīgel] > [ŋgaltārīgel] > [ŋgaltārīɣel] > [ŋaltārīɣel] > [ŋaltāriel] > [naltāriel]	✧ PE17/060

Variations

• Naldariel(lle) ✧ PE17/059
• Ñaltariel ✧ PE17/060; PM/347

fairë

noun. spirit (disembodied), phantom; †radiance

Cognates

• S. faer “spirit (in general)” ✧ MR/349; MR/470

Derivations

• ✶phairi “spirit (general)” ✧ NM/237
  • √PHAY “spirit, spirit; [ᴹ√] radiate, send out rays of light” ✧ NM/237
  • √PHA “exhalations (as mists upon water or steams and the like)” ✧ NM/237

Element in

• Q. a Aina Fairë, Eru órava (o)messë “God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us” ✧ VT44/17
• Q. alcar i Ataren ar i Yondon ar i Airefëan “glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit” ✧ VT43/37
• Q. i fairi nécë “the pale phantoms” ✧ MC/221; MC/222
• Q. Fairondi “Incarnates” ✧ PE17/124

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
✶phai-rĭ > fairë	[pʰairi] > [pʰaire] > [ɸaire] > [faire]	✧ NM/237

Variations

• faire ✧ VT43/37
• Faire ✧ VT44/17

nalta

radiance, glittering reflection

nalta ("ñ")noun "radiance, glittering reflection" (from jewels, glass or polished metals, or water) (PM:347)

nalta

noun. radiance, glittering reflection

Cognates

• T. alata “radiance, glittering reflection” ✧ PM/347
• S. galad “radiance, glittering reflection; light, fire, brightness, shining; bliss, radiance, glittering reflection; light, fire, brightness, shining; bliss; [ᴱN.] dawn” ✧ PM/347

Derivations

• √Ñ(G)AL “gleam, sheen, shine (by reflection)” ✧ NM/350
• ✶ñ(g)alatā “(reflected) radiance, glitter (of reflected light), glory” ✧ PE17/050; PM/347
  • √Ñ(G)AL “gleam, sheen, shine (by reflection)” ✧ NM/350; NM/353; PE17/059; PE17/169; PM/347
  • √GAL “light; shine, be bright” ✧ PE17/050
  • √KAL “light; shine, be bright, light; shine, be bright, [ᴱ√] shine golden” ✧ PE17/050

Element in

• Q. Altáriel “Galadriel” ✧ PE17/050 (Altariel(le))
• Q. Naltariel “Galadriel” ✧ PM/347
• Q. naltalma “heliograph”

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
✶galatā > alta	[galatā] > [galtā] > [ɣaltā] > [altā] > [alta]	✧ PE17/050
✶ñalatā > ñalta	[ŋgalatā] > [ŋgaltā] > [ŋaltā] > [ŋalta] > [nalta]	✧ PM/347

Variations

• ñalta ✧ NM/350 (ñalta); PM/347
• alta ✧ PE17/050

caltáriel

feminine name. woman crowned with glory, radiance

A rejected Quenya name for Galadriel (PE17/50). See ✶Ñ(g)alatā-rigelle for further discussion.

Changes

• Kaltariel(le) → Altariel(le) “woman crowned with glory, radiance” ✧ PE17/050
• kaltáriel → altáriel ✧ PE17/050

Cognates

• S. Galadriel “Glittering-garland” ✧ PE17/050

Derivations

• ✶Ñ(g)alatā-rigelle “maiden crowned with a garland of radiance” ✧ PE17/050; PE17/050

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
✶Kalatā-rigelle > Kaltáriel(le)	[kalatārīgelle] > [kaltārīgelle] > [kaltārīɣelle] > [kaltārielle]	✧ PE17/050
✶kalatā-rigellē̆ > kaltáriel	[kalatārīgelle] > [kalatārīgell] > [kaltārīgell] > [kaltārīɣell] > [kaltāriell] > [kaltāriel]	✧ PE17/050

Variations

• Kaltáriel(le) ✧ PE17/050
• Kaltariel(le) ✧ PE17/050 (Kaltariel(le))
• kaltáriel ✧ PE17/050 (kaltáriel)
• Caltariel ✧ PE17/084

alcar

noun. glory, splendour, radiance, brilliance

Cognates

• S. aglar “glory, brilliance, splendour, radiance” ✧ PE17/024; PE17/105; PE17/124; PE18/087; RGEO/65; SA/aglar
• T. aclar “glory, splendour” ✧ VT47/13

Derivations

• ✶aklar(a) “radiance, brilliance, glory” ✧ PE17/024; PE17/105; PE17/124; PE18/085; PE18/087; VT47/13
  • √KAL “light; shine, be bright, light; shine, be bright, [ᴱ√] shine golden” ✧ PE17/024
  • √KALAR “*be radiant, [ᴹ√] be radiant” ✧ PE17/105; PE17/124; PE18/085; PE18/085; PE18/087; VT47/13
  • √KAL “light; shine, be bright, light; shine, be bright, [ᴱ√] shine golden” ✧ PE18/087
• √KAL “light; shine, be bright, light; shine, be bright, [ᴱ√] shine golden” ✧ SA/aglar

Element in

• Q. alcar i Ataren ar i Yondon ar i Airefëan “glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit” ✧ VT43/37
• Q. alcarin(qua) “glorious, brilliant, glorious, brilliant, [ᴹQ.] radiant” ✧ RGEO/65
• Q. Alcarinquë “Glorious” ✧ SA/aglar
• Q. alcarin Vendë ar manaquenta “O glorious and blessed Virgin” ✧ VT44/10 (á Véne’ alcare ar manquenta)
• Q. alcar mi Tarmenel na Erun “glory [be] to God in the highest” ✧ VT44/34; VT44/34; VT44/34
• Q. Alcarondas “Castle of the Sea”
• Q. alcar Oromëo “the splendour of Oromë” ✧ WJ/369
• Q. alcar Oroméva “the splendour of Oromë” ✧ WJ/369
• ᴺQ. alcarvalda “honourable”
• ᴺQ. alcarya- “to glorify”
• Q. Atanalcar “*Man Glory”
• ᴺQ. Foralcar “aurora, (lit.) northern radiance”
• ᴺQ. Hyaralcar “aurora, (lit.) southern radiance”
• Q. Minalcar “?First Glory”
• ᴺQ. quettalcar “renown, (lit.) word-glory”
• Q. vanda sina termaruva Elenna·nóreo alcar enyalien “This oath shall stand in memory of the glory of the Land of the Star” ✧ UT/305

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
✶aklar > alkar	[aklar] > [alkar]	✧ PE17/024
✶aklar- > alkar	[aklar] > [alkar]	✧ PE17/105
✶ak(a)la-r > alkar	[akalar] > [aklar] > [alkar]	✧ PE17/124
✶aklar- > alkar	[aklar] > [alkar]	✧ PE18/085
✶áklara > alkar	[aklara] > [aklar] > [alkar]	✧ PE18/087
√kal- > alkar	[aklar] > [alkar]	✧ SA/aglar
✶aklara > alkar	[aklara] > [aklar] > [alkar]	✧ VT47/13

Variations

• alkar ✧ PE17/024; PE17/105; PE17/124; PE18/085 (alkar); PE18/087; SA/aglar; VT44/34; VT47/13; WJ/369; WJ/369
• Alcar ✧ VT43/37
• alcare ✧ VT44/10 (alcare)

aurë

sunlight, day

aurë noun "sunlight, day" (SA:ur), "day (of light), a day of special meaning or festival" (VT49:45). locative auressë "in (the) morning" in Markirya, allative aurenna *"on the day" (VT49:43-45). Also compare amaurëa.

alcar

alkar

alcar (so spelt in CO, VT43:37-38, and VT44:32/34; otherwise "alkar")noun "glory, radiance, brilliance, splendour" (WJ:369, CO, VT43:37-38, VT47:13, AKLA-R; the latter source also lists an alternative longer form alcarë, also occurring in VT44:7/10) Compare Alcarin, Atanalcar.

cálë

light

cálë ("k")noun "light" (Markirya; in early "Qenya", cálë meant "morning", LT1:254)

cálë

noun. light

A noun for “light” appearing in the versions of the Markirya poem from the 1960s (MC/222-223).

Conceptual Development: In the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s, ᴱQ. kále “morning” was a derivative of the early root ᴱ√KALA “shine golden” (QL/44), and kāle was mentioned again Gnomish Lexicon Slips as a cognate of G. gaul “a light” (PE13/114). The form ᴱQ. kale “day” appeared in the Early Qenya Grammar of the 1920s, but was deleted (PE14/43). It might also be an element in ᴹQ. yúkale “twilight” (= “both lights”) from The Etymologies of the 1930s (Ety/KAL).

Neo-Quenya: For purposes of Neo-Quenya, I’d stick to the better attested Q. cala “light”.

Element in

• Q. cálë fifírula “the light fading” ✧ MC/222

Variations

• kále ✧ MC/222; MC/223

cala

light

cala ("k")noun "light" (KAL). Concerning the "Qenya" verb cala-, see #cal- above.

cala

noun. light, light; [ᴱQ.] daytime (sunlight), 12 hours

This is the most common Quenya word for “light”, derived from the root √KAL of similar meaning (RGEO/62; PE17/84). It appears in numerous compounds, either in its full form or in a reduced form cal-.

Conceptual Development: ᴱQ. kala appeared all the way back in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s glossed “daytime (sunlight), 12 hours” and derived from the early root ᴱ√KALA “shine golden” (QL/44), but it had the sense “light” in the phrase ᴱQ. i·kal’antúlien “Light hath returned” (LT1/184), and it was given as the cognate of G. gala “light, daylight” in the contemporaneous Gnomish Lexicon (GL/37).

ᴹQ. kala “light” appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s as a derivative of the root ᴹ√KAL “shine” (Ety/KAL). Somewhat curiously in that document its primitive form was given as ᴹ✶k’lā́ (EtyAC/KAL), a form that also appeared in the first version of Tengwesta Qenderinwa (TQ1) from the 1930s (PE18/38). Tolkien may have used this variant form to explain N. glaw “radiance” (< ᴹ✶g’lā́), but in later writings S. glaw “sunshine” was derived from √LAW.

Derivations

• √KAL “light; shine, be bright, light; shine, be bright, [ᴱ√] shine golden” ✧ PE17/084

Element in

• Q. Anducal “*Light of the West”
• Q. Calacirya “Pass of Light” ✧ RGEO/62
• Q. calambar “*light-fated”
• Q. Calantar “Light-giver”
• Q. Calaquendi “Elves of the Light, (lit.) Light Elves”
• ᴺQ. calatengwë “photograph, (lit.) light-writing”
• Q. Calion “*Son of Light”
• Q. Caliondo
• Q. Calmacil “*Sword of Light, Shining Sword”
• Q. Calmindon “Light-tower”
• Q. Herucalmo
• ᴺQ. ruical(a) “firelight”
• Q. ú calo “without the light” ✧ PE17/143; VT39/14

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
√CAL > Cala	[kala]	✧ PE17/084

Variations

• Cala ✧ PE17/084; RGEO/62

calina

light

calina ("k")adj. "light" (KAL), "bright" (VT42:32) "(literally illumined) sunny, light" (PE17:153) but apparently a noun "light" in coacalina, q.v.

aglar

noun. radiance

_n. _radiance, glory. Q. alkar. >> aglareb

galad

radiance

1a _ n. _radiance. >> Galadriel, Gil-galad

Galadriel

noun. lady, crowned with a radiant garland

galad (“light, radiance”) + rî (“crown”) + iell (“daughter” [Etym. SEL-D] traditional ending for women’s names) Sindarin equivalent of Tel. Alatâriel(lë))

galadriel

feminine name. Glittering-garland

A Noldorin lady and only daughter of Finarfin, Galadriel was the ruler of Lórien at the end of the Third Age (LotR/353). Her name is a compound of galad “radiance, glittering reflection” and -riel “crowned maiden”. Its full meaning is “maiden crowned with a garland of bright radiance” (PM/347), but for the sake of brevity this entry uses the less literal translation “Glittering-garland” (Let/423).

Etymology: The history of Galadriel’s name is quite complex. Her birth names were Q. Nerwen and Q. Artanis, but her mother Eärwen was Telerin. Later in life Galadriel adopted the Telerin name T. Alatáriel, which in Quenya was Q. Altáriel (PM/346). This new name may have been due to the Telerin influence of her mother, or it may have been given to Galadriel by her husband, who may or may not have been a Telerin elf (see Celeborn for discussion). She was given this name because of her long golden hair (Let/428). Like her older brothers, Galadriel journeyed to Beleriand to aid in the war against Morgoth, where her name Altáriel was adapted into Sindarin as Galadriel (PM/347, PE17/60).

Many years later, when Galadriel became ruler of Lórien, her Silvan-elf subjects associated her name with Nan. galad “tree”. Sometimes her Sindarin name was altered to Galadhriel (S. galadh “tree”) to reflect this association (UT/267), but properly speaking her name had nothing to do with trees.

Conceptual Development: See the entry for the primitive form of her name, ✶Ñ(g)alatā-rigelle, for a discussion of the conceptual developments in this name’s etymology, and N. Galadhrien for a discussion of earlier forms of this name.

Cognates

• Q. Altáriel “Galadriel” ✧ PE17/050; PE17/169; PM/347; PMI/Galadriel; SA/kal; MR/182; NM/346
• Q. Caltáriel “woman crowned with glory, radiance” ✧ PE17/050
• Q. Naltariel “Galadriel” ✧ PE17/059; PE17/060
• T. Alatáriel “Galadriel” ✧ NM/349; NM/352; PM/346; PMI/Galadriel

Derivations

• ✶Ñ(g)alatā-rigelle “maiden crowned with a garland of radiance” ✧ MR/182; MR/470; NM/353; PE17/050; PE17/050; PE17/060
• Q. Altáriel “Galadriel” ✧ PM/347
  • T. Alatáriel “Galadriel” ✧ PM/347
  • ✶Ñ(g)alatā-rigelle “maiden crowned with a garland of radiance” ✧ NM/353; NM/353; PE17/060
  • ✶Ñ(g)alatā-rigelle “maiden crowned with a garland of radiance” ✧ MR/182; PE17/050; PE17/050

Elements

Word	Gloss
galad	“radiance, glittering reflection; light, fire, brightness, shining; bliss, radiance, glittering reflection; light, fire, brightness, shining; bliss; [ᴱN.] dawn”
-riel	“crowned maiden”

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
✶galata-rīg-elle > Galadriel	[galatarīgelle] > [galatarīɣelle] > [galatarīɣell] > [galadarīɣell] > [galadarīell] > [galadrīell] > [galadriel]	✧ MR/182
✶galata-rĭg-elle > Galadriel	[galatarigelle] > [galatariɣelle] > [galatariɣell] > [galadariɣell] > [galadariell] > [galadriell] > [galadriel]	✧ MR/470
✶ñalata-riʒelle > Galadriel	[ŋalatariɣelle] > [ŋgalatariɣelle] > [galatariɣelle] > [galatariɣell] > [galadariɣell] > [galadariell] > [galadriell] > [galadriel]	✧ NM/353
✶galatā-rigellē̆ > Galadriel	[galatarigelle] > [galatariɣelle] > [galatariɣell] > [galadariɣell] > [galadariell] > [galadriell] > [galadriel]	✧ PE17/050
✶Kalatā-rigelle > Caladriel	[calatarigelle] > [calatariɣelle] > [calatariɣell] > [caladariɣell] > [caladariell] > [caladriell] > [caladriel]	✧ PE17/050
✶ñgal(a)tā-rig-el- > Galadriel	[ŋalatarigel] > [ŋgalatarigel] > [galatarigel] > [galatariɣel] > [galadariɣel] > [galadariel] > [galadriel]	✧ PE17/060

Variations

• Galaðriel ✧ NM/350; WJ/035; WJI/Galadriel
• Caladriel ✧ PE17/050 (Caladriel); PE17/050
• Galadhriel ✧ SA/kal; UT/267

aglar

noun. glory, brilliance, splendour, radiance

Cognates

• Ad. aglar “glory”
• Q. alcar “glory, splendour, radiance, brilliance” ✧ PE17/024; PE17/105; PE17/124; PE18/087; RGEO/65; SA/aglar
• T. aclar “glory, splendour” ✧ VT47/13

Derivations

• ✶aklar(a) “radiance, brilliance, glory” ✧ PE17/024; PE17/105; PE17/124; PE18/087; VT47/13
  • √KAL “light; shine, be bright, light; shine, be bright, [ᴱ√] shine golden” ✧ PE17/024
  • √KALAR “*be radiant, [ᴹ√] be radiant” ✧ PE17/105; PE17/124; PE18/085; PE18/085; PE18/087; VT47/13
  • √KAL “light; shine, be bright, light; shine, be bright, [ᴱ√] shine golden” ✧ PE18/087
• √KAL “light; shine, be bright, light; shine, be bright, [ᴱ√] shine golden” ✧ SA/aglar

Element in

• S. aglareb “glorious, brilliant, glorious, brilliant, *radiant” ✧ SA/aglar
• S. aglar’ni Pheriannath “glory to the halflings” ✧ Let/448; LotR/0953
• S. Aglarond “Glittering Cavern” ✧ RC/421; SA/aglar
• S. egleria- “to glorify”
• S. o menel aglar elenath “from heaven on high the glory of the starry host” ✧ LotR/0238; PE17/024; RGEO/63; RGEO/64

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
✶áklara > aglar	[aklara] > [aklar] > [aglar]	✧ PE18/087

Variations

• Aglar ✧ Let/448; LotR/0953

aglar

noun. glory, brilliance, splendour

calad

gerund noun. light

calad

noun. light

_ n. _light, fire, brightness, shining. >> galad

galad

noun. light, radiance, glittering, reflection (from jewels, glass or polished metal, or water)

galad

light

_ n. _light, fire, brightness, shining. >> calad, Caras Galadon

galad

noun. radiance, glittering reflection; light, fire, brightness, shining; bliss, radiance, glittering reflection; light, fire, brightness, shining; bliss; [ᴱN.] dawn

A word for “radiance, glittering reflection” derived from primitive ✶ñ(g)alatā and the root √Ñ(G)AL “shine by reflection” (PM/347). Most notably it was an element in the names Galadriel and Gil-galad. In the latter name, since the ancient form began with ñg-, its mutated form was -galad rather than the more usual ’alad.

Conceptual Development: This word had a long and intricate history, and was intertwined with the shifting conceptions of various roots and names. It’s earliest iteration was G. {gâl(a) >>} gala “light, daylight” (GL/37), cognate to ᴱQ. kala of similar meaning, derived from the early root ᴱ√KALA “shine golden” (QL/44). Since ancient initial g- became k- in Early Qenya, is very likely the early root was actually ✱ᴱ√GALA. In early notes, Tolkien experimented with various alternate forms for this word such as gâl or gaul (GL/37; PE13/114), and in Early Noldorin Word-lists of the 1920s Tolkien had the word ᴱN. galad with the gloss “dawn” (PE13/144).

By the 1930s, Tolkien had revised the phonology of Quenya so that primitive initial g became ʒ and then vanished, but he wished to retain the kal-/gal- variation in “light” words, and so introduced a Noldorin-only variant ᴹ√GAL of the root ᴹ√KAL “shine” (Ety/GAL). In The Etymologies, Tolkien had both N. calad (Ety/KAL) and N. galad (EtyAC/GAL) for “light”, the former appearing in its mutated form as an element in the name N. Gil-galad “Starlight” (Ety/GIL).

S. calad continued to be the basis for the second element of S. Gil-galad in some later writings (PE17/50), but Tolkien began to have problems with another name from The Lord of the Rings, that is Galadriel. When Tolkien first introduced her name, it basically meant “Tree-lady” (TI/249), but this was no longer suitable for her more elevated role in the Legendarium, and in any case the proper Sindarin word for “tree” was galadh. In 1955 notes Tolkien considered making the initial element of her name mean “blessed” or “bliss” instead (NM/346).

In notes from the late 1950s or early 1960s Tolkien connected the names Gil-galad and Galadriel as sharing a common element meaning “light” and experimented with various derivatives of the roots √KAL and √GAL (PE17/50), but couldn’t contrive a satisfactory solution since the shared word would be mutated in Gil-Galad but unmutated in Galadriel. Eventually Tolkien resolved this quandary by introducing a new root √Ñ(G)AL in various notes from the late 1960s (PE17/59-60; NM/353) whose primitive form in Sindarin was strengthened ✶ñgalatā that would produce the correct result for both names. Tolkien discussed this new word at length in The Shibboleth of Fëanor from 1968:

> The name [Galadriel] was derived from the Common Eldarin stem ÑAL “shine by reflection”; ✱ñalatā “radiance, glittering reflection” (from jewels, glass or polished metals, or water) > Quenya ñalta, Telerin alata, Sindarin galad ... The whole = “maiden crowned with a garland of bright radiance” was given in reference to Galadriel’s hair. Galad occurs also in the epesse of Ereinion (“scion of kings”) by which he was chiefly remembered in legend, Gil-galad “star of radiance” (PM/347).

Neo-Sindarin: For purposes of Neo-Sindarin, I would assume (ñ)galad refers to radiant, glittering and reflected light, as opposed to S. calad (lit. = “shining”) which refers to direct light and the sources of such light, such as lamps and flames.

Cognates

• Q. nalta “radiance, glittering reflection” ✧ PM/347
• T. alata “radiance, glittering reflection” ✧ SA/kal

Derivations

• √GAL “light; shine, be bright” ✧ PE17/084
• ✶ñ(g)alatā “(reflected) radiance, glitter (of reflected light), glory” ✧ PM/347
  • √Ñ(G)AL “gleam, sheen, shine (by reflection)” ✧ NM/350; NM/353; PE17/059; PE17/169; PM/347
  • √GAL “light; shine, be bright” ✧ PE17/050
  • √KAL “light; shine, be bright, light; shine, be bright, [ᴱ√] shine golden” ✧ PE17/050

Element in

• S. Caras Galadhon “City of the Trees” ✧ PE17/084
• S. Galadriel “Glittering-garland” ✧ Let/425; NM/346; PE17/084; PM/347
• S. Gil-galad “Starlight, (lit.) Star of Radiance” ✧ Let/425; PE17/084; PM/347
• S. Malgalad “?yellow radiance”

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
√GAL > galad	[galata] > [galat] > [galad]	✧ PE17/084
✶ñalatā > galad	[ŋalatā] > [ŋgalatā] > [ŋgalata] > [galata] > [galat] > [galad]	✧ PM/347

Caltariel

noun. Caltariel

prop. n. >> calad

galad

radiance

1) galad (i ngalad = i ñalad) (bright light, sunlight, brilliance, glittering reflection), pl. gelaid (in gelaid = i ñgelaid), 2) glaw (i **law), pl. gloe (in gloe), 3) thîl; no distinct pl. form, coll. pl. ?thiliath**.

galad

radiance

(i ngalad = i ñalad) (bright light, sunlight, brilliance, glittering reflection), pl. gelaid (in gelaid = i ñgelaid)

glaw

radiance

(i ’law), pl. gloe (in gloe)

thîl

radiance

; no distinct pl. form, coll. pl. ?thiliath.

Galadriel

Galadriel

Galadriel is a Sindarin name translated by Tolkien as "glittering garland", "Maiden crowned with gleaming hair", and "maiden crowned with a radiant garland". It has been suggested that Galadriel consists of galad ("light, radiance") + rî ("crown") + iell ("daughter"). Tolkien notes that the element galad had no relation to Sindarin galadh ("tree", or Silvan galad "tree"), but that such a connexion often was made and her name then became Galadhriel.

agar

glory

agar (brilliance, glitter), pl. eglair if there is a pl. Also claur (i glaur, o chlaur) (splendour), pl. cloer (i chloer), coll. pl. clorath.

agar

glory

(brilliance, glitter), pl. eglair if there is a pl. Also claur (i glaur, o chlaur) (splendour), pl. cloer (i chloer), coll. pl. clorath.

gail

light

(adjective) 1) gail (bright), lenited ngail, no distinct pl. form (VT45:18), 2) lim (clear, sparkling), no distinct pl. form. Note: a homophone means ”fish”.

gail

light

(bright), lenited ngail, no distinct pl. form (VT45:18)

calad

light

_(noun) _1) calad (i galad, o chalad), pl. celaid (i chelaid), 2) gaul (i **aul), pl. goel (i ngoel = i ñoel), coll. pl. golath. Note: A homophone means "wolf-howl", but has different mutations. 3) (bright light) galad (i ngalad = i ñalad), (sunlight, brilliance, radiance, glittering reflection), pl. gelaid (in gelaid = i ñgelaid). 4) gâl (gal-, -al in compounds, with article i **âl), pl. gail (i ngail = i ñail).

calad

light

(i galad, o chalad), pl. celaid (i chelaid), 2) gaul (i ’aul), pl. goel (i ngoel = i ñoel), coll. pl. golath. Note: A homophone means "wolf-howl", but has different mutations. 3) (bright light) galad (i ngalad = i ñalad), (sunlight, brilliance, radiance, glittering reflection), pl. gelaid (in gelaid = i ñgelaid). 4) gâl (gal-, -al in compounds, with article i ’âl), pl. gail (i ngail = i ñail).

galad

sunlight

1) galad (i ngalad = i ñalad), (bright light, brilliance, radiance, glittering reflection), pl. gelaid (in gelaid = i ñgelaid). 2) glawar (i **lawar) (gold; radiance of the Golden Tree Laurelin), pl. glewair (in glewair**) (VT41:10)

galad

sunlight

(i ngalad = i ñalad), (bright light, brilliance, radiance, glittering reflection), pl. gelaid (in gelaid = i ñgelaid).

glawar

sunlight

(i ’lawar) (gold, radiance of the Golden Tree Laurelin), pl. glewair (in glewair) if there is a pl. (VT41:10)

glawar

sunlight

glawar (i **lawar) (gold, radiance of the Golden Tree Laurelin), pl. glewair (in glewair**) if there is a pl. (VT41:10)

glóren

shining with golden light

(glórin-) (golden), lenited ’lóren; pl. glórin

glaur

golden light

(i ’laur), pl. gloer (in gloer).

lim

light

(clear, sparkling), no distinct pl. form. Note: a homophone means ”fish”.

alatáriel

feminine name. Galadriel

Cognates

• Q. Altáriel “Galadriel” ✧ NM/353; PM/347; UT/266
• Q. Naltariel “Galadriel” ✧ PE17/060
• S. Galadriel “Glittering-garland” ✧ NM/349; NM/352; PM/346; PMI/Galadriel

Derivations

• ✶Ñ(g)alatā-rigelle “maiden crowned with a garland of radiance” ✧ NM/353; NM/353; PE17/060

Derivatives

• Q. Altáriel “Galadriel” ✧ PM/347
  • S. Galadriel “Glittering-garland” ✧ PM/347

Elements

Word	Gloss
alata	“radiance, glittering reflection”
rielle	“maiden crowned with a festive garland”

Variations

• Altarielle ✧ PE17/060
• Alatāriel(lë) ✧ PM/347
• Alatáriel(lë) ✧ PMI/Galadriel

alata

noun. radiance, glittering reflection

Cognates

• Q. nalta “radiance, glittering reflection” ✧ PM/347
• S. galad “radiance, glittering reflection; light, fire, brightness, shining; bliss, radiance, glittering reflection; light, fire, brightness, shining; bliss; [ᴱN.] dawn” ✧ SA/kal

Derivations

• ✶ñ(g)alatā “(reflected) radiance, glitter (of reflected light), glory” ✧ PM/347
  • √Ñ(G)AL “gleam, sheen, shine (by reflection)” ✧ NM/350; NM/353; PE17/059; PE17/169; PM/347
  • √GAL “light; shine, be bright” ✧ PE17/050
  • √KAL “light; shine, be bright, light; shine, be bright, [ᴱ√] shine golden” ✧ PE17/050

Element in

• Q. Altáriel “Galadriel” ✧ SA/kal
• T. Alatáriel “Galadriel” ✧ PM/347

cala

noun. light

aglar Speculative

noun. glory

An element of the name Aglarrâma that might be a noun meaning “glory”; see the entry for that name for further discussion.

Cognates

• S. aglar “glory, brilliance, splendour, radiance”

Element in

• Ad. Aglarrâma “Castle of the Sea”

ak(a)lar

noun. *radiance

áse

noun. sunlight

Derivations

• √AS “warmth” ✧ PE17/018

Derivatives

• Q. árë “sunlight, warmth (especially of the sun); day” ✧ PE17/018

aklar(a)

noun. radiance, brilliance, glory

Derivations

• √KAL “light; shine, be bright, light; shine, be bright, [ᴱ√] shine golden” ✧ PE17/024
• √KALAR “*be radiant, [ᴹ√] be radiant” ✧ PE17/105; PE17/124; PE18/085; PE18/085; PE18/087; VT47/13
  • √KAL “light; shine, be bright, light; shine, be bright, [ᴱ√] shine golden” ✧ PE18/087

Derivatives

• Q. alcar “glory, splendour, radiance, brilliance” ✧ PE17/024; PE17/105; PE17/124; PE18/085; PE18/087; VT47/13
• S. aglar “glory, brilliance, splendour, radiance” ✧ PE17/024; PE17/105; PE17/124; PE18/087; VT47/13
• T. aclar “glory, splendour” ✧ VT47/13

Element in

• ✶aklari(n)kwā “full of glory” ✧ PE17/024; PE17/024

Variations

• aklar ✧ PE17/024
• aklar- ✧ PE17/105; PE18/085; PE18/085 (aklar-)
• ak(a)la-r ✧ PE17/124
• áklara ✧ PE18/087
• aklara ✧ VT47/13

gaili

noun. ray

Derivations

• √GAL “light; shine, be bright”

Variations

• gailĭ ✧ PE21/80

kalat

noun. light

Derivatives

• Os. k’lā́t- ✧ PE18/087

Variations

• kalā́t- ✧ PE18/087

glaw

noun. radiance

glaw

noun. radiance

Cognates

• ᴹQ. kala “light” ✧ Ety/KAL

Derivations

• ᴹ✶glā “radiance” ✧ Ety/KAL
  • ᴹ√GAL “shine” ✧ Ety/KAL

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
ᴹ✶g’lā́ > glaw	[glā] > [glǭ] > [glou] > [glau]	✧ Ety/KAL

galadriel

feminine name. Galadriel

Elements

Word	Gloss
galadh	“tree”
-iel	“daughter; feminine suffix”

aglar

noun. glory, brilliance, splendour

gail

noun. bright light

calad

gerund noun. light

calad

noun. light

Derivations

• ᴹ√KAL “shine” ✧ Ety/KAL

Element in

• N. Cilgalad “Pass of Light” ✧ Ety/KIL
• N. Gil-galad “Starlight”

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
ᴹ√KAL > calad	[kalata] > [kalat] > [kalad]	✧ Ety/KAL

galad

noun. light

Derivations

• ᴹ√GAL “shine” ✧ Ety/GAL

Phonetic Developments

Development	Stages	Sources
ᴹ√GAL > galad	[galata] > [galat] > [galad]	✧ Ety/GAL

glawar

noun. sunlight, radiance (of the golden tree Laurelin)

gal-

prefix. light

glaur

noun. golden light (of the golden tree Laurelin)

glor-

noun. golden light (of the golden tree Laurelin)