silmë

noun. starlight, starlight; [ᴹQ.] silver [light], moonlight, light of Silpion

A word for “starlight” and also the name of tengwa #29 [i] (LotR/1123), clearly derived from the root √SIL.

Conceptual Development: The earliest hint of this word was in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s where ᴱQ. silmea seems to be an adjective meaning “✱lunar” (QL/56). ᴱQ. silme also seems to be an adjectival element “gleaming, silver” in ᴱQ. silmerána “gleaming moon, silver moon” from the Oilima Markirya poem and its drafts from around 1930 (MC/220; PE16/75). In The Etymologies of the 1930s ᴹQ. silme was derived from primitive ᴹ✶silimē “light of Silpion, †silver” under the root ᴹ√SIL “shine silver” (Ety/SIL) and thus seems to mean “moonlight”. Indeed, silme had the gloss “moonlight” in notes on The Feanorian Alphabet from the 1930s and 40s (PE22/22, 51), where it was already the name of tengwa #29. It became “starlight” in Appendix E of The Lord of the Rings, however (LotR/1123), and elsewhere “moonlight” was isilmë (MC/223).

silmë

starlight

silmë noun "starlight", also name of tengwa #29 (Appendix E), though in the pre-classical Tengwar system presupposed in the Etymologies, the name silmë instead applied to tengwa #3 (VT46:13). Silmë nuquerna "_s reversed", name of tengwa #30, similar to normal silmë but turned upside down (Appendix E)_. In the Etymologies, stem SIL, silmë is defined as the "light of Silpion" (Telperion), and also a poetic word for "silver".

telempë

silver

telempë noun "silver" (LT1:268; in Tolkien's later Quenya telpë, which is actually also found in early "Qenya")

telepta

silver

telepta adj. "silver" (as adj.: silvery) (LT2:347), used as noun in the phrase mi telepta of someone clad "in silver", where the context (involving other colour-words) shows that this adj. describes something of silver colour(PE17:71). Compare telemna, telepsa, telpina.

telpë

silver

telpë noun "silver" (in one example with generalized meaning "money", PE14:54), telep- in some compounds like Teleporno; assimilated telem- in Telemnar and the adj. telemna (KYELEP/TELEP, SA:celeb, LT1:255, 268; also tyelpë, telep-, UT:266). The true Quenya descendant of primitive ¤kyelepē is tyelpë, but the Telerin form telpë was more common, "for the Teleri prized silver above gold, and their skill as silversmiths was esteemed even by the Noldor" (UT:266). In various names: Telperion the White Tree of Valinor; Telperien ("Telperiën"), fem. name including telp- "silver" (Appendix A); Telperinquar "Silver-fist, Celebrimbor" (SA:celeb - also Tyelperinquar); Telporno, Teleporno "Silver-high" = Sindarin _Celeborn(Letters:347, UT:266). _It seems that Teleporno is properly Telerin, Quenyarized as Telporno. Compare adjectives telemna, telpina, telepsa, telepta (q.v.)

tyelpë

silver

tyelpë noun "silver" (KYELEP/TELEP), etymology also in Letters:426 and UT:266. Tyelpë is the true Quenya descendant of primitive ¤kyelepē, but the Telerin form telpë was more common, "for the Teleri prized silver above gold, and their skill as silversmiths was esteemed even by the Noldor" (UT:266). In the Etymologies, tyelpë is also the name of Tengwa #1 with overposed dots, this symbol having the value ty (VT45:25). Cf. tyelpetéma as the name of the entire palatal series of the Tengwar system.

telepta

adjective. silver, silver, [ᴱQ.] of silver

telpë

noun. silver, silver; [ᴱQ.] money

tyelpë

noun. silver

telperion

proper name. ?Silver Tree

The common name of the White Tree of Valinor, the one of the Two Trees which shone with silver light (S/38). The exact meaning of this name is unclear, but its initial element is the word telpë “silver” (SA/celeb, UT/266). The original Quenya name of this tree was †Tyelperion, but it became Telperion when Quenya speakers adapted older †tyelpë into telpë under the influence of Telerin telpe (UT/266, Let/426).

Conceptual Development: In the earliest Lost Tales, this tree was usually called ᴱQ. Silpion (LT1/73). The name ᴹQ. Telperion first appeared in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s as an alternate name of Silpion (LR/209, 211). In Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s, Telperion became its primary name and while Silpion became a secondary name (MR/59, note §5).

Possible Translations: This name is glossed “Silver Tree” in the index of the 50th anniversary edition of The Lord of the Rings (LotRI/Silver Tree), but I cannot find this translation anywhere else. In their Reader’s Companion, Hammond and Scull tentatively translate Telperion as “?silver-white” (RC/637). In English the tree is usually referred to as the “White Tree”, but this was also applied to the earlier name Silpion and is perhaps a better translation of that name (given its incorporation of the root √SIL “shine white or silver”). Absent any other information, “Silver Tree” is the best available translation.

telporno

masculine name. *Silver Tall

The Quenya name of Celeborn (Let/425). Assuming it has the same etymology as his Sindarin name, it is a compound of telpë “silver” and primitive ✶ornā “uprising, tall” (UT/266). See the entry for Celeborn for further discussion.

telemmaitë

masculine name. Silver-handed

Tar-Telemmaitë was the 15th ruler of Númenor (LotR/1035), so called because of his love of silver (UT/221). Christopher Tolkien translated his name as “Silver-handed” (UTI/Tar-Telemmaitë). His name seems to be a compound of an assimilated form of telpë (telep-) “silver” and the adjective element maitë “-handed”.

telemnar

masculine name. *Silver Fire

The Quenya name of Ar-Gimilzôr, 23rd ruler of Númenor (UT/223), and also the name of the 26th king of Gondor (LotR/1038). This name seems to be a compound of an assimilated form of telpë (telep-) “silver” and element nár “fire”.

telperinquar

masculine name. Silver-fist

Quenya name of Celebrimbor, from which his Sindarin name is derived (SA/celeb, PE17/42). In pure Quenya, this name would be ✱Tyelperinquar (not attested). This name also appeared in the shorter form T(y)elpinquar (PM/318; VT47/8, 23). His name is a compound of the adjective telperin “like silver” and quár(ë) “fist” (SA/celeb, PE17/42).

tyeleptalëa

feminine name. Silver-footed

A Quenya form of Celebrindal appearing notes from the 1968 (NM/349), a combination of tyelpë “silver” and an adjectival form of tál “foot”.

Conceptual Development: The earliest Qenya form of the name was ᴱQ. Taltelepta, appearing in name lists from the 1910s (LT2/216), in one list alongside the variant ᴱQ. Telpetalwi (PE13/104). In The Etymologies of the 1930s, the Quenya name was given as ᴹQ. Taltyelemna (replacing rejected ᴹQ. Taltelepsa), a compound of tál “foot” and telemna “✱silver (adjective)” (Ety/KYELEP). According to Carl Hostetter and Patrick Wynne, this name was actually written with the proper Quenya initial consonant ty- for “silver”, as opposed to Telerin t- (EtyAC/KYELEP).

tyelperion

proper name. ?Silver Tree

The archaic Quenya name of Telperion, from archaic †tyelpë “silver” (UT/266).

Telemmaitë

silver-handed

Telemmaitë masc. name, *"Silver-handed" (Appendix A)

Telemnar

silver-flame

Telemnar masc.name, "Silver-flame" (Appendix A; for *Telep-nar)

Tyelperinquar

silver-fist, celebrimbor

Tyelperinquar masc. name, "Silver-fist, Celebrimbor" (PM:318; also Telperinqar, q.v.)

ilsa

(the mystic name of) silver

ilsa noun "(the mystic name of) silver" (LT1:255,LT1:268)

misil

silver (jewel-like) brilliance

misil (changed by Tolkien from misilya) noun *"silver (jewel-like) brilliance" (VT27:20, 27; this is "Qenya", but cf. mísë.)

nillë

silver glint

nillë ("ñ") a star-imagine on Nur-menel (q.v.), from a stem ngil- noun "silver glint" (MR:388)

silma

silver, shining white

silma adj. "silver, shining white" (SIL), "crystal (white)" (PE17:23)

tinda

glinting, silver

tinda (1) adj. "glinting, silver" (TIN)

nillë

noun. silver glint; Valinorian imagines [images of real stars]

A rather obscure term given as {ille >>} ñille for the “Valinorian imagines”, false stars made in imitation of the real ones created by Varda along with the dome over Valinor (Nur-menel) which protected that land from the spies of Melkor (PE17/22; MR/388). Whether this idea survived as part of the Legendarium is unclear, but this word also happens to be the closest equivalent to S. gil or gail, the usual Sindarin word for “star”, both derived from the root √(Ñ)GIL.

telperin

adjective. like silver (in hue or worth)

telpilin

noun. silver piece, *silver coin

telpetan

noun. silversmith

telpingwë

noun. silverfish

isilmë

noun. moonlight

A word loosely translated as “moon” in the Markirya poem of the 1960s (MC/222), but more accurately “moonlight” according to the glossary following the poem (MC/223), perhaps an elaboration of Q. silmë “starlight” under the influence of Q. Isil “moon”.

Conceptual Development: A similar word ᴱQ. silma “a ray of moonlight” appeared in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s, derived from the early root ᴱ√SILI which was also the basis for ᴱQ. Sil “moon” (QL/83).

ilma Reconstructed

proper name. Starlight

An (archaic?) name for “Starlight”, it is not directly attested in Tolkien’s later writing, but appears as an element in several names (SA/ilm). It is a derivative of the root √(Ñ)GIL “shine (white)”. Elsewhere, the usual Quenya word for “starlight” is given as silmë (LotR/1123).

Conceptual Development: ᴱQ. ilma “air” appeared in Early Qenya Word-lists of the 1920s (PE16/142). The name ᴹQ. Ilma “Starlight” is directly attested in Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s (LR/205), where it first appeared as Silma (SM/240). Ilma also appeared in The Etymologies as a derivative of ᴹ√GIL (Ety/GIL), which is the source of the etymology noted above.

Ilma

starlight

Ilma noun "starlight" (GIL)

Ilmarë

starlight

Ilmarë noun "starlight", also fem. name, referring to a Maia (GIL, SA:ilm-)

elen

star

elen noun "star" (SA:êl, elen, EL, VT49:39); pl. eleni (occasionally in verse: eldi) (WJ:362, PE17:127); partitive pl. elelli for elenli (PE17:127), gen. pl. elenion in the phrase Elenion Ancalima "brightest of stars" (LotR2:IV ch. 9; see Letters:385 for translation); elen atta "two stars" (VT49:44), genitive elen atto "of two stars" (VT49:45), eleni neldë "three stars", archaic elenion neldë = "of stars three". Genitive "of 3 stars" = elenion neldë (for archaic elenion neldëo) (VT49:45). Allative elenna "starwards" used as name of Númenor _(Silm; see Elenna)_; ablative pl. elenillor "from stars" in Markirya. **Nai elen siluva ***"may a star shine", VT49:38.

elen

noun. star

The most common Quenya word for “star”, mentioned very frequently, derived from an extended form ✶elen of the root √EL “behold” (PE17/67; WJ/360, 362). Its usual plural form is eleni, but it has an archaic plural †eldi sometimes used in verse, the result of the Ancient Quenya sound whereby [[aq|[ln] became [ld]]] after the ancient plural underwent the Quenya syncope, ✶elenī > AQ. elni; its normal modern plural form eleni was actually a reformation from the singular (PE17/57, 151; WJ/362).

Conceptual Development: This word first appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s, though in the original entry for the root ᴹ√EL Tolkien said it was poetical and gave variants ellen and elena (Ety/EL).

isilmë

moonlight

isilmë (þ) noun "moonlight", occurring in Markirya; free translation "the moon" in MC:215 (isilmë ilcalassë, literally "moonlight gleaming-in" = "in the moon gleaming"). Isilmë also appears as the name of a Númenorean woman (UT:210).

rauta

metal

rauta noun "metal" [meaning changed by Tolkien from "copper"]. Notice that in the LotR, the word for metal is given as tinco. (RAUTĀ)

sil-

verb. shine (white)

tildë

spike, horn

tildë noun "spike, horn" _(TIL; in the Etymologies as printed in LR, the first gloss is quoted as "point", but according to VT46:19, the proper reading is "spike")_

tin-

glint, spark, glitter

tin- vb. "glint, spark, glitter" (3rd pers. aorist tinë "it glints") (TIN, PE17:69)

tinco

metal

tinco noun "metal" (TINKŌ), also name of tengwa #1 (Appendix E, there spelt "tinco", but "tinko" in Etym); tincotéma noun "t-series", dental series, first column of the Tengwar system (Appendix E)

tinco

noun. metal

tinda

spike

tinda (2) noun "spike" (LT1:258; probably obsoleted by # 1 above)

tindë

glint

tindë noun "glint" (TIN)

tinwë

spark

tinwë noun "spark" (gloss misquoted as "sparkle" in the Etymologies as printed in LR, see VT46:19), also "star"; pl. tinwi "sparks", properly used of the star-imagines on Nur-menel (q.v.). Cf. nillë. (TIN, MR:388) In early "Qenya", tinwë was simply glossed "star" (LT1:269, cf. MC:214). In one late source, the meaning of tinwë is given as "spark", and it is said that this word (like Sindarin gil) was used of the stars of heaven "in place of the older and more elevated el, elen- stem" (VT42:11).

wintil

glint

wintil noun "glint" (LT1:261)

él

star

†él noun "star", pl. éli given (WJ:362, EL)

él

noun. star

An archaic or poetic word for star (WJ/362), somewhat common in compounds but in ordinary speech typically appearing as elen. It was derived directly from the primitive root √EL “behold”, the basis for other star words (PM/340; WJ/360).

Conceptual Development: This word first appeared as poetical ᴹQ. él “star” in The Etymologies of the 1930s, already with the derivation given above, though in this document the root ᴹ√EL meant “star” (Ety/EL), a common gloss for the root in later writings as well.

ílë

star

ílë noun "star" (LT1:269; rather elen, él in LotR-style Quenya.)

silef

adjective. silver, shining white

celeb

noun. silver

celeb

noun. silver

silif

noun. light of Silpion, †silver, light of Silpion, †silver, *moonlight

A word in The Etymologies of the 1930s derived from primitive ᴹ✶silimē glossed “light of Silpion, †silver” (Ety/SIL). Since Silpion was the silver tree of Valinor whose flower was used to create the moon, perhaps this can also mean “✱moonlight”; its Quenya cognate ᴹQ. silme was glossed “moonlight” in the 1930s and 40s as a tengwar name (PE22/22, 51), though in The Lord of the Rings Appendix E, Q. silmë was “starlight” (LotR/1123). The Noldorin form silif was marked with a “✱” and so perhaps may be archaic; Tolkien said “For ✱silif N has silith, by assimilation to or from influence of †Ithil” (Ety/SIL).

celeb(?)rhein

feminine name. ?Silver-footprint

A name appearing in The Etymologies from the 1930s with a smudged and unreadable character between the b and r (EtyAC/RUN), apparently a combination of celeb “silver” and the lenited form of rhein “footprint”. It might be a variant of Celebrindal “Silverfoot”.

celebrond

masculine name. Silver-mace

A name appearing in The Etymologies from the 1930s glossed “Silver-mace”, a combination of celeb “silver” and the lenited form of grond “club” (Ety/RUD).

gildin

noun. silver spark

A noun in The Etymologies of the 1930s glossed “silver spark”, a combination of the root ᴹ√GIL and ᴹ√TIN (Ety/TIN). Presumably this refers to stars, since both roots also have derivatives referring to stars.

silith

noun. light of Silpion, †silver, light of Silpion, *moonlight

A word in The Etymologies of the 1930s, for which Tolkien said “For ✱silif N has silith, by assimilation to or from influence of †Ithil” (Ety/SIL). Since N. silif was derived from primitive ᴹ✶silimē for the “light of Silpion” (Ety/SIL), it seems silith was a more modern replacement of it, probably with the same meaning. As it was influenced by Ithil “Moon”, it probably had the sense “✱moonlight” after Silpion was lost.

celebrimbor

masculine name. Silver-fist

celebrindon

place name. Silver Bowl

celebros

place name. Silver Foam, Silver Rain

celebren

adjective. like silver (in hue or worth)

celefn

adjective. of silver

celevon

adjective. of silver

gildin

noun. silver spark

celeb(rind)rath

place name. Silverlode

An earlier name of Celebrant in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s (TI/241), apparently celeb “silver” or celebren “of silver”, combined with rath “course, river-bed”.

celebras

place name. Silverhorn

Earliest name for S. Celebdil in the Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s (TI/174), a combination of celeb “silver” and the lenited form of rhas “horn”.

celebdil

place name. Silvertine

celebrant

place name. Silverlode

celebrindal

feminine name. Silverfoot

tint

noun. spark

caraes

noun. jagged hedge of spikes

carag

noun. spike, tooth of rock

el

noun. star

galathilion

proper name. White Tree of Valinor

geil

noun. star, bright spark

geil

noun. star

gil-galad

masculine name. Starlight

gilgalad

noun. starlight

giliath

noun. all the host of stars

rhaud

noun. metal

rhaud

noun. metal

tinc

noun. metal

tinc

noun. metal

tinna-

verb. to glint

tint

noun. spark

tinw

noun. spark, small star

kyelep

root. silver

This root and ones like it were used for Elvish words for “silver” throughout Tolkien’s life. The earliest iteration of the root began with T-, however, appearing as unglossed ᴱ√TELEPE in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s with derivatives like ᴱQ. telpe “silver” (QL/91). Even at this early stage, however, the Gnomish equivalent was G. celeb (GL/25), but the reason for the t/c variation isn’t clear. The closest explanation is that palatal consonants like [c] became [tʲ] in Qenya vs. [k] in Gnomish (compare ᴱQ. tyava- vs. caf- “taste” from ᴱ√TYAVA) but this doesn’t explain why the Qenya form has initial t- rather than ty-.

Elsewhere in the Elvish languages of the 1910s there seem to be etymological variations of [k] vs. [t], such as ᴱQ. kitya- vs. G. tisca- “tickle” (QL/47; GL/70) and ᴱQ. talqe vs. G. celc “glass” (QL/88; GL/25), so perhaps ᴱQ. telpe vs. G. celeb “silver” is another example of this. Another explanation appeared in Early Noldorin word lists from the 1920s, where the primitive form was ᴱ✶kelekwé which produced ᴱN. celeb as usual but the Qenya form was ᴱQ. telqe with “k = t by dissimilation” (PE13/140), presumably away from q.

In The Etymologies of the 1930s Tolkien had the root ᴹ√KYELEP with variant ᴹ√TELEP, producing N. celeb but ᴹQ. tyelpe or ᴹQ. telpe (Ety/KYELEP). But Tolkien revised this entry, marking ᴹ√TELEP as questionable and introducing the Telerin form ᴹT. telpe < ᴹ√KYELEP, concluding that ᴹQ. telpe must be a loan from Telerin. This finally put N. celeb vs. ᴹQ. telpe (borrowed from Telerin) on a solid phonological foundation. Tolkien seems to have stuck with this explanation, mentioning this borrowing from Telerin to Quenya several times in his later writings, with the proper but now archaic Quenya form being Q. †tyelpë (Let/426; PM/356; UT/266).

kyelepē

noun. silver

(ñ)gil

root. shine (white); silver glint; white or silver light

This root was the basis for Elvish words for stars and starlight, especially in the Sindarin branch of the Elvish languages. It first appeared as ᴱ√Gil- in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s with derivatives like G. gil- “gleam”, G. giltha “white metal, †silver”, and (probably) G. gail “star” (GL/37-38). Its Early Qenya derivatives were ᴱQ. ilsa “mystic name of silver” (QL/42) and ᴱQ. īle “star” (GL/37), indicating the true form of the root was probably ᴱ√ƷILI, since initial voiced stops were unvoiced in Early Qenya, so that ancient ✱gīle would become ✱✱kíle, not íle.

This root appeared as ᴹ√GIL “shine (white or pale)” in The Etymologies of the 1930s with derivatives like N. geil “star” and ᴹQ. Ilma “Starlight” (Ety/GIL). The root regularly appeared in this unstrengthened form in Tolkien’s later writing, for example as √GIL “shine (white)” in a 1955 letter to David Masson (PE17/152) or as gil “white or silver light” in a 1958 letter to Rhona Beare (Let/278). In one place Tolkien considered giving it a kil- variant, analogous to √GAL vs. √KAL for “(golden) light” (PE17/50), but that seems to have been a transient idea. In other notes dating to the late 1950s Tolkien gave the root in strengthened form as √NGIL “silver glint” (MR/388; PE17/22) and also √GIL >> √ÑGIL as the basis for the initial element of the name S. Gil-galad (PE17/23).

Neo-Eldarin: For purposes of Neo-Eldarin, I think it is best to assume the root was originally unstrengthened √GIL, but was sometimes strengthened to √ÑGIL to produce words like Q. ñille “silver glint”.

gilyā

noun. silver spark

ñgillē

noun. silver glint

tini

noun. spark

elen

noun. star

ēl

noun. star

celeb

silver

_n. _silver. >> Celebdil, Celebrant, celebrin

celeb

noun. silver

celeb

noun. silver

celebrant

place name. Silverlode, Silver-course

A stream flowing through Dimrill Dale translated “Silverlode” (LotR/341) or “Silver-course” (RC/262). It is itself a translation of Kh. Kibil-nâla of the same meaning (PE17/35, TI/174). This name is a combination of celeb “silver” and rant “course” (RC/775).

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, this river was first named “Red Way”: N. Crandir along with other variations (RS/432-3). Tolkien changed the name to N. Celebrin “✱Silver” (RS/434) and later N. Celeb(rind)rath “Silverlode” (TI/241) before settling on N. Celebrant (TI/235). The final name also appeared in The Etymologies as a river-name, without translation (Ety/RAT).

brethil

noun. silver birch, silver-birch; [N.] beech

A word for a “silver-birch”, an element in the names Nimbrethil and Fimbrethil (SA/brethil). According to Tolkien it was associated with bereth “queen”:

> ... since this tree was an emblem of Elbereth, was associated by Elves with the stars, and the word by them often interpreted as “daughter of the Queen, princess”. Fuller forms nimbrethil “white princess” and fimbrethil “slender princess” were also used (PE17/23).

Tolkien went on to add that “the ordinary non-mythological word for birch was ... S chwind, whinn”, so it seems brethil was only for the specific species of birch associated with Elbereth, and the ordinary word for “birch” was hwinn. In this note, Tolkien also derived brethil from √BARATH, but he may have changed his mind later; see the entry to bereth “queen” for discussion.

Conceptual Development: In The Etymologies of the 1930s, N. brethil was “beech (tree)” and it was derived from the root ᴹ√BERETH of the same meaning (Ety/BERETH, NEL). In later writings, “beech” was S. neldor; see that entry for discussion.

celeborn

masculine name. Silver-tree; Silver Tall

The husband of Galadriel and ruler of Lórien. His name can variously be interpreted as “Silver-tree” (NM/349) or “Silver-tall” (NM/352). His hair was silver (LotR/354), which may have been an aspect of his name as Galadriel’s golden hair was of hers.

Possible Etymology: The etymology of Celeborn’s name is a bit confused, since Tolkien changed his mind on its meaning. It is very likely when Tolkien invented the name he interpretted it as “Silver-tree”, a compound of S. celeb “silver” and orn “tree”, and that was the meaning Tolkien initially gave it in notes from 1968 (NM/349). But in later these notes, he decided that the second element of the name was derived from ancient ✶ornā “tall” (NM/350), so that the meaning of these name was actually “Silver-tall” (NM/352 note #8).

In The Lord of the Rings and the published version of The Silmarillion, Celeborn was a kinsman of Thingol in Doriath and therefore a Sindarin elf, and Galadriel met him in Beleriand (LotR/1082, S/115). However, in the aformentioned 1968 note and other writings from this period, Celeborn was a Telerin of Valinor and came with Galadriel to Middle-earth (NM/349-352; UT/233; PM/347). In this revised scenario, we have the clearest explanations of both Celeborn’s and Galadriel’s names, ultimately derived from the Telerin names T. Teleporno and T. Alatáriel, respectively. However, this scenario clashes badly with the narratives in the published Silmarillion.

Even if you assume that Celeborn was Sindarin, his name could still be “derived” from T. Teleporno in the sense that it was derived from the Ancient Telerin name of the same meaning. In this scenario, Galadriel could have gotten her Telerin name Alatáriel due to the influence of her mother Eärwen, who was herself Telerin.

Conceptual Development: See N. Keleborn for a discussion of earlier forms of this name.

celebrimbor

masculine name. Silver-fist

Last descendant of Fëanor, who crafted the Elvish rings of power (LotR/242), translated “Silver-fist” (PE17/42) or “Silver Grasp” (PM/179). His name is a combination of celebrin “silver” and the suffixal form -bor of paur “fist” (PE17/42, SA/celeb).

Conceptual Development: This name already had its final form when it first appeared in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s (RS/449). The name N. Celebrimbor also appeared in The Etymologies, already with its final meaning (Ety/KWAR).

celebrindor

masculine name. *Silver-lord

5th king of Arthedain (LotR/1038). His name is most likely a combination of celebrin “silver” and the suffixal form -dor “lord”.

Conceptual Development: In drafts of the Lord of the Rings appendices, this name first appeared as (rejected) N. Celemenegil and N. Celebrindol (PM/208).

celebros

place name. Silver Foam, Silver Rain

A stream in Beleriand (S/220), translated “Silver Foam” (SM/313) or “Silver Rain” (LR/140; Ety/ROS¹). This name is a combination of celeb “silver” and ross “foam” (SA/celeb, ros), so a more literal translation would be “Foam-silver” (WJ/151).

Conceptual Development: In early Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s, this name was once briefly written N. Celebrindon “Silver Bowl” (SM/313), but it mostly appeared in the form N. Celebros (SM/131, 313; LR/140). At its first appearance, its translation was already “Foam-silver” (SM/131), and it retained essentially the same meaning thereafter. This name also appeared in The Etymologies, which is the source of the derivation given above (Ety/ROS¹).

celebrían

feminine name. Silver-queen

Wife of Elrond and mother of Arwen (LotR/375), translated “Silver-queen” (Let/423). Her name is a combination of celeb “silver” and rían “queen”.

gil

noun. star; (bright) spark, silver glint, twinkle of light

The usual word for “star” in Sindarin which replaced archaic/poetic êl; it originally meant “(bright) spark” (RGEO/65; VT42/11). It was derived from the root √(Ñ)GIL meaning “shine (white)” (PE17/152) or “silver glint” (MR/388; PE17/22).

Conceptual Development: This word first appeared as G. gail “a star” in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s (GL/42), derived from the early root ᴱ√Gil- (GL/38). In the Early Noldorin Grammar Tolkien said ᴱN. gail meant “sign, token, heavenly body” (PE13/123); earlier in this document he gave it the gloss {“life” >>} “sign” (PE13/120 and note #6). In Early Noldorin Word-lists written somewhat later, gail again simply meant “star” (PE13/143), and it was used this way in the Nebrachar poem from around 1930 (MC/217).

In The Etymologies of the 1930s Tolkien gave it as N. geil “star” from primitive ᴹ✶gilya under the root ᴹ√GIL “shine (white or pale)” (Ety/GIL; EtyAC/GIL). Christopher Tolkien incorrectly marked geil as a plural form in The Etymologies as published in The Lost Road (LR/358), but Carl Hostetter and Patrick Wynne corrected this in their Addenda and Corrigenda to the Etymologies (VT45/15). Remnants of this 1930s derivation can be seen in the forms geil/gail in notes from the 1950s, derived from ancient ✶gilyā “silver spark” (PE17/30, 152). Mostly, however, Tolkien represented this word as gil in later writings, including in The Lord of the Rings Appendix E (LotR/1113).

Possible Etymology: The etymology of gil is complicated by Tolkien’s vacillation with the singular form gail (†geil) < ✶gilyā, where the diphthong ai is the result of a-affection of the base vowel from i to e, which after i-intrusion produced ei and this diphthong became ai as usual in final syllables and monosyllables: gilyā [ >✱geli(a)] > geil > gail. Signs of this etymology can be seen in the class plural giliath as in S. Dagor-nuin-Giliath “Battle-under-Stars” (S/106).

With this alternate derivation, the plural form would still be gîl, since the ancient plural -ī prevented a-affection, and the prefixal form likewise would have been gil- (PE17/152). However, this derivation conflicts with Tolkien’s usual presentation of the singular form as gil. In some places Tolkien gave a primitive form like ✶(ñ)gillē (PE17/23) or a Sindarin form gill (PE17/50), but I think it is best to assume primitive ✱gili- to explain singular gil and class-plural giliath.

nimbrethil

place name. Silver-birches

A region of birches in Arvernien (LotR/233), translated “Silver birches” (PE17/19) or “White-birches” (RC/214). This name is a combination of nim “white” and brethil “silver-birch” (PE17/19; SA/nim, brethil), though Tolkien said the second element could also be interpreted as brethil “princess” (PE17/19, 23).

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, this name also appeared as N. Nimbrethil (TI/99).

Celebdil

noun. silver tine

celeb (“silver”) + till (“horn, point”)

Celebrant

noun. silver lode

celeb (“silver”) + rant (“load, vein”)

Celebrimbor

noun. silver fist

celebrin (“silver-like”) + paur (“a tightly closed hand as in using an implement or a craft-tool”) Sindarized form of Tel. Telperimpar, Q Tyelpinquar.

Celebrindal

noun. silver foot

celebren (< celebrina “silver-like”) + tâl (“foot”) [HKF] nd didn’t became nn when n and d come from different elements of a compound.

Celebros

noun. silver foam, silver rain

celeb (“silver”) + ros (“foam, rain”) The original form of ros is probably ross, with the final s dropped at the end of a polysyllable [HKF].

nimbrethil

noun. 'Silver Birches'

prop.n. 'Silver Birches'. >> brethil I, nim

brethil

noun. silver birch

_n. Bot. _silver birch, an emblem of Elbereth. Because of its association with Elbereth, Elves associated this tree with stars, and the word was often interpreted as 'daughter of the Queen', 'princess'. >> fimbrethil, nimbrethil

gail

silver spark

pl1. gîl, pl2. giliath _ n. _silver spark. >> gail, geil

geil

silver spark

pl1. gîl, pl2. giliath _ n. _silver spark. >> gail

celebrin

adjective. like silver (in hue or worth), like silver (in hue or worth), [G.] of silver

mithril

noun. true-silver, a silver-like metal

gail

noun. silver spark, silver spark, [ᴱN.] star; sign, token, heavenly body

ithildin

noun. a silver-colored substance, which mirrors only starlight and moonlight

mithril

noun. silver-like metal

mith (“grey”) + rill (“brilliance”)

celebdil

place name. Silvertine

Sindarin name of a peak in the Misty Mountains translated “Silvertine”, itself a translation of Kh. Zirakzigil of the same meaning (LotR/283). This name is a combination of celeb “silver” and the lenited form of till “point, spike”.

Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, Tolkien first wrote this name as N. Celebras “Silverhorn” before settling on N. Celebdil (TI/174, 306).

celebrindal

feminine name. Silverfoot

Sobriquet of Idril, translated “Silver-foot” (S/126). Her name is a combination of celebrin “silver” and the lenited form -dal of tâl “foot” (SA/celeb, tal).

Conceptual Development: In the earliest Lost Tales, this name appeared as G. Talceleb “Silver Feet” (LT2/165, 216). In Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s, Tolkien changed the name to N. Celebrindal “Silver-foot” (SM/143, LR/141), though in The Etymologies it appeared in a variant (lenited) form Gelebrendal with an e replacing the i (Ety/KYELEP).

Celebrant

Silverlode

_ topon. _Silverlode. It is probable that Dwarves actually found silver in this river. Dw. Kibil-nâla. >> celeb, -rant

Celebdil

'Silvertine'

topon. 'Silvertine', a moutain crowned by a pinnacle. Dw. Zirak-zigil. >> celeb, till

celeb

silver

1) (noun) celeb (i geleb, o cheleb), pl. celib (i chelib) if there is a pl. form. 2) (adj., "of/like silver") celebren (lenited gelebren, pl. celebrin; also celebrin- as first element of compounds, as in Celebrindal). Also celefn (lenited gelefn, pl. celifn). As for ”silver” as adjective, see also SHINING WHITE. Adj.

galvorn

copper, gold,  iron, silver

(i** ’alvorn, pl. gelvyrn [in ngelvyrn*] if there is a pl.), a black metal made by the Dark Elf Eöl. (WJ:322)*

mithril

copper, gold,  iron, silver

(i** vithril, no distinct pl. form except with article [i** mithril], coll. pl. ?mithrillath). The description of mithril may seem to fit titanium.

gildin

silver spark

gildin (i ngildin = i ñildin, o n**gildin = o ñgildin), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gildin** = i ñgildin). ”

gîl

silver glint

(i ngîl = i ñîl, o n’gîl = o ñgîl, construct gil) (star, bright spark), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. *giliath (RGEO, MR:388)*

gîl

silver glint

gîl (i ngîl = i ñîl, o n**gîl = o ñgîl, construct gil) (star, bright spark), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. giliath** (RGEO, MR:388)

gîl

silver glint

gîl (i ngîl = i ñîl, o n**gîl = o ñgîl, construct gil) (star, bright spark), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. giliath** (RGEO, MR:388).

silith

silver light

silith (i hilith, o silith), no distinct pl. form except with article (i silith), if there is a pl. form. The word silif is of similar meaning and would have the same mutations.

Celebdil

Silverspike

Celebdil is the Sindarin name of Khuzdul Zirakzigil, translated as the mountain Silvertine. From celeb, "silver" and til, "spike".

Silvertine contains tine, "spike, sharp horn".

Celebrant

Silverlode

Celebrant is a Sindarin name, consisting of celeb, "silver" and rant, "course".

The element lode in Silverlode means "course, water-channel".

These names were also a translation of Kibil-nâla in Khuzdul, the language of Dwarves.

Celebdil

Celebdil

Celebdil is the Sindarin name of Khuzdul Zirakzigil, translated as the mountain Silvertine. Celebdil contains celeb ("silver") and a derivative of the root TIL. Silvertine contains tine, "spike, sharp horn".

Celebrant

Celebrant

Celebrant is a Sindarin name, consisting of celeb, "silver" and rant, "course". The element lode in Silverlode means "course, water-channel". These names were also a translation of Kibil-nâla in Khuzdul, the language of Dwarves.

Celebrimbor

Celebrimbor

The name Celebrimbor is the Sindarin translation of his Quenya father-name Telperinquar (pron. [ˌtelpeˈriŋʷkʷar]). His mother-name is unknown. Celebrimbor consists of celebrin ("silver-like") + baur ("fist").

gîl

star

gîl (i ngîl = i ñîl, o n**gîl, construct gil) (bright spark, silver glint), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. giliath** (RGEO, MR:388). Poetic †êl (elen-, pl. elin, coll. pl. elenath) (RGEO, Letters:281, WJ:363).

gîl

star

(i ngîl = i ñîl, o n’gîl, construct gil) (bright spark, silver glint), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gîl = i ñgîl), coll. pl. giliath **(RGEO, MR:388). Poetic †êl (elen-, pl. **elin, coll. pl. elenath) (RGEO, Letters:281, WJ:363).

el

star

n. star.

elen

star

pl1. elin, pl2. elenath _n._star. Its collective plural (pl2.) designates 'the (host of all the) stars, (all) the (visible) stars of the firmament'. Q. elen, pl1. eldi, eleni. o menel aglar elenath ! lit. 'from Firmament glory of the stars !'. >> êl

elen

noun. star

gil

noun. star, bright spark

In The Etymologies (Ety/358, corrected by VT/45:15), this word was given as geil , plural gîl. However, later in LotR/E and RGEO/73, Tolkien seems to consider gil as a singular (with no hints in the sources of what the plural would be, besides the collective plural giliath )

gil-

noun. star

gil-

prefix. spark

_ pref. _spark, often used for 'star'. Form of gail/geil in compounds. >> gail, geil, Gilgalad

giliath

noun. all the host of stars

gill

noun. star

mithril

mithril

. This gloss was rejected.

mithril

mithril

n. >> mith, ril

raud

noun. metal

raud

noun. metal

tin

noun. spark

_ n. _spark, sparkle (esp. used of the twinkle of stars). >> ithildin

tinu

noun. spark, small star

tîn

spark

n. spark, star. Q. tinwe spark (Poet. star).

êl

noun. star (little used except in verses)

êl

star

pl1. elin, pl2. elenath** ** n. star. Q. elen, pl1. eldi, eleni, pl2. elelli. >> elen

êl

noun. star

A Sindarin word for “star” that is largely archaic and poetic, and is mainly used as element in names like Elrond (Let/281; WJ/363; Ety/EL); the more usual word for “star” in ordinary speech was gil (RGEO/65). However, the collective form elenath is still used in common speech to refer to the entire host of stars (WJ/363). The plural of êl is elin, as this word was derived from ancient ✶elen, and the final n that was lost in the singular was preserved in the plural. In some cases Tolkien posited a restored analogical singular elen from the plural form (PE17/24, 67, 139), but this isn’t in keeping with the notion that the word was archaic, so I would ignore this for purposes of Neo-Sindarin.

Conceptual Development: This word and its root first appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s, where N. el “star” was derived from the root ᴹ√EL of similar meaning, but was “only [used] in names” (Ety/EL). It seems Tolkien introduced the root to give a new etymology for names like N. Elrond and N. Elwing, which initially appeared under the root ᴹ√ƷEL “sky” (Ety/ƷEL).

carag

spike

1) carag (i garag, o charag) (tooth of rock), pl. ceraig (i cheraig). 2) ceber (i geber, o cheber) (stake, stone ridge), pl. cebir (i chebir). A lenited pl. form occurs in the name Sarn Gebir. 3) till (i dill, o thill, construct til; also -dil, -thil at the end of compounds) (spike, tine, point, sharp horn, sharp-pointed peak), no distinct pl. form except with article (i thill). Archaic †tild.

carag

spike

(i** garag, o charag) (tooth of rock), pl. ceraig (i** cheraig).

ceber

spike

(i** geber, o cheber) (stake, stone ridge), pl. **cebir (i** chebir). A lenited pl. form occurs in the name Sarn** Gebir.

gilgalad

starlight

1) gilgalad (i ngilgalad = i ñilgalad, o n**gilgalad, pl. gilgelaid (in gilgelaid = i ñgilgelaid) if there is a plural form. 2) gilith (also used = Quenya Ilmen, the region of stars) (i ngilith = i ñilith, o n**gilith) _These mutations presupposed that the root is Ñ, as in MR:388, rather than _ as in the Etymologies (LR:358).

gilgalad

starlight

(i ngilgalad = i ñilgalad, o n’gilgalad, pl. gilgelaid (in gilgelaid = i ñgilgelaid) if there is a plural form.

gilion

of stars

(lenited ngilion; pl. gilioen). Archaic ✱giliaun.

gilith

starlight

(also used = Quenya Ilmen, the region of stars) (i ngilith = i ñilith, o n’gilith) These mutations presupposed that the root is

ithilgalad

3Gな%xな#2# noun. light of the moon, moonlight

ithilgalad

3Gな%xな#2# noun. light of the moon, moonlight

ross

polished metal

(glitter), pl. ryss (idh** ryss**). Note: homophones mean ”reddish, russet, copper-coloured, red-haired” and also ”spray, foam, rain, dew”. For concrete metals, see

till

spike

(i** dill, o thill, construct til; also -dil, -thil at the end of compounds) (spike, tine, point, sharp horn, sharp-pointed peak), no distinct pl. form except with article (i** thill). Archaic †tild.

tim

small star

(MR:388). Archaic tinw, so the coll. pl. is likely  tinwath. 3)

tinc

metal

tinc (i dinc, o thinc), no distinct pl. form except with article (i thinc), coll. pl. tingath. The word rhaud “metal” occurring in the Etymologies would normally be ”updated” to Sindarin in the form raud, but since raud appears with different meanings in later sources (see

tinc

metal

(i** dinc, o thinc), no distinct pl. form except with article (i** thinc), coll. pl. tingath. The word rhaud** “metal” occurring in the Etymologies would normally be ”updated” to Sindarin in the form raud, but since raud** appears with different meanings in later sources (see

tinc

eminent

should at least be preferred for clarity).

tinna

glint

(vb.) *tinna- (cited as a ”Noldorin” infinitive tinno) (i dinna, i thinnar). Noun

tinna

glint

(cited as a ”Noldorin” infinitive tinno) (i dinna, i thinnar). Noun

tint

spark

1) tint (i dint, o thint), no distinct pl. form except with article (i thint), coll. pl. tinnath; 2) tinu (i dinu, o thinu; also -din at the end of compounds), analogical pl. tiny (i thiny). The word is also used =

tint

spark

(i dint, o thint), no distinct pl. form except with article (i thint), coll. pl. tinnath

tinu

spark

(i dinu, o thinu; also -din at the end of compounds), analogical pl. tiny (i thiny). The word is also used =

kibil

noun. silver

kibil-nâla

place name. Silverlode, Silver-course

zigil

adjective. silver (colour)

zirakzigil

place name. Silvertine, Silver-spike

zigil-nâd

place name. Silverlode

zirakinbar

place name. Silverhorn

zirak

noun. spike

telpe

noun. silver

teleporno

masculine name. Silver-tall; Silver-tree

telperimpar

masculine name. Silver-fist

telperin

adjective. like silver (in hue or worth)

elen

noun. star

él

noun. star

gimil

collective noun. (all) stars; ?silver

A collective-noun meaning “all the stars of the heavens”, as opposed to gimli which was used for an individual star (SD/427). The element gimil appears in many names, including several later names in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. Carl Hostetter and Patrick Wynne suggested (AAD/15) that it may be related to the Elvish root √(Ñ)GIL “shine (white)”.

Andreas Moehn suggested (EotAL/KH-B-L) that if the later name Gimilzôr means “Silver-fire”, its initial element gimil could instead mean “silver”, perhaps as a cognate of Dwarvish kibil. If so, this alternate meaning could either be a homonym of gimil “stars”, or a new meaning for gimil in Tolkien’s later works.