nik

root. small

One of various roots for “small” Tolkien used in his later writings. The root √NIK “small” first appeared in notes on Eldarin Hands, Fingers and Numerals from the late 1960s (VT47/26; VT48/18), but was connected to the diminutive suffix ✶-i(n)ki which had a much longer conceptual history. One of the earliest known diminutive suffix was ᴱQ. -íne(a) in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s from the root ᴱ√INI “small” (QL/42), which might be a precursor to √NIK; these suffixes reappeared in the Early Qenya Grammar of the 1920s (PE14/49, 81). In the Gnomish Grammar of the 1910s, the word G. inc “small” was used as the basis for the “diminutive superlative” -inci (PE11/16).

In the Qenya Lexicon, Tolkien connected ᴱ√INI “small” to the root ᴱ√MINI of similar meaning (QL/42, 61). There are no signs of ᴱ√MINI “small” in the contemporaneous Gnomish Lexicon, but the word G. migin “little” (GL/57) hints at a (hypothetical) variant root ✱ᴱ√MIKI. Further support for ✱ᴱ√MIKI can be found in other diminutive forms in the Early Qenya Grammar of the 1920s such as prefixal diminutive ᴱQ. mike- along adverbial ᴱQ. mike “little” (QL/48, 81), the latter appearing with the gloss “a bit” in the English-Qenya Dictionary from this period (PE15/70) along with other similar words in both the dictionary and the grammar. This ✱ᴱ√MIKI might be another precursor to √NIK. An early hint at √NIK itself might appear in the word ᴹQ. nikse “minnow, little fish” from the Declension of Nouns from the early 1930s (PE21/27).

In Noldorin and Sindarin, the primary diminutive suffix became -eg, which was connected to the Common Eldarin suffix -iki elsewhere in notes on hands and fingers (VT47/14 note #21). In the notes where √NIK “small” appeared in the late 1960s, Tolkien gave the primitive diminutive as -inkĭ along with variants ikki, -iksi, -si, -ensi, -ki.

One of the main competing roots for “small” was ᴹ√PIK [see the entry for √PI(N)], itself with a lengthy conceptual history. The shift of pitya >> nitya “little” in the father name of Amrod from the late 1960s may represent a replacement of √PIK by √NIK (PM/365), but I think it is likelier the two roots coexisted with slightly different meanings, as was the case for their earlier precursors. In the notes from the late 1960s, √NIK was also contrasted with √NIP “small (usually with connotation of weakness)” (VT48/18), from which the word S. niben “petty” was derived, as in S. Nogoth Niben (WJ/388).

Neo-Eldarin: For purposes of Neo-Eldarin, I would assume √NIK meant “small” in a neutral sense, √PIK “tiny” (along with variants √PĪ and √PIN) and √NIP “small and weak”. I would use these as the major Eldarin roots for “small” words, along with a number of other more specialized roots.

kit

root. *small

Tolkien gave the roots √KIN and √KIT with the gloss “small” in Notes on Names (NN) from 1957; given Sindarin derivative S. cidinn, √KIT is the likelier of the two possibilities (PE17/157).

Neo-Eldarin: For purposes of Neo-Eldarin, I recommend against using the Quenya derivative of this root, as there are other better-known Quenya words for “small”. In Sindarin, however, we have fewer options, and I think it is worth retaining this root for that branch of the Eldarin languages.

nimpĭ

adjective. small

ninkĭ

adjective. small

kin

root. *small

nip

root. small (usually with connotation of weakness)

A root mentioned in some notes from the late 1960s as a variant of √NIK “small”, but with an added connotation of “weakness” (VT48/18). It was the basis for S. niben “petty” as in S. Nogoth Niben “Petty Dwarf”, and it contributed to the sense of frailty in S. nimp, usually glossed “pale, pallid” but in this note “small and frail”. Primitive √NIP might also be connected to √PI(N) which Tolkien used for “little” words for much of his life.

pī

noun. small insect, fly

ṇ̃gyellē

noun. small bell

mot

root. fen, marsh

A root in Quenya Notes (QN) from 1957 glossed “fen, marsh” with derivatives like [Q?] motto and [S?] both or moth, apparently of similar meaning (PE17/165). A likely precursor is the unglossed root ᴹ√MBOTH in The Etymologies of the 1930s serving as the basis for words like ᴹQ. motto “blot”, N. both “puddle, small pool”, and Ilk. umboth “large pool”, the last of these being the basis for Ilk. Umboth Muilin “Veiled Pool” (Ety/MBOTH, MUY).

In the Gnomish of the 1910s, the first element of G. Umboth-muilin “Pools of Twilight” was derived from ᴱ√mbaþ-, a strengthened form of ᴱ√MAÞA “dusk”, with the second element muilin meaning “pools”, the plural G. muil (LT2/225; GL/58, 75). Later still this name became S. Aelin-uial, and it seems √M(B)OT was repurposed for swamp words.

pi(n) Reconstructed

root. little

Tolkien used a variety of roots for Elvish words for “small”. One early root was ᴱ√PIKI with variants ᴱ√PINI and ᴱ√PĪ from the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s, unglossed but with derivatives like ᴱQ. pínea “small” and ᴱQ. pinqe “slender, thin” (QL/73). It also had derivatives in the contemporaneous Gnomish Lexicon such as G. pinig “tiny, little” and G. pibin “small berry, haw” (GL/64).

The root reappeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s as unglossed {ᴹ√PEK >>} ᴹ√PIK with derivatives like N. pigen “tiny” and N. peg “small spot, dot” (Ety/PIK; EtyAC/PIK). Further evidence for this root can be seen in later words like Q. piki- or pitya “petty” (WJ/389) and Q. pik- “lessen, dwindle” (MC/223). A variant root √PEY appeared in a list of roots having to do with large and small, with a single derivative Q. pia “little” [< ✱peya], but it was immediately followed by the forms pikina, pinke, pitya which point back to √PIK (PE/117).

Further evidence of early forms ᴱ√PINI and ᴱ√PĪ can also be seen in Tolkien’s later writings. There is S. ✱pîn “little” in S. Cûl Bîn “Little Load” (RC/536), ✶pī {“small bird” >>} “small insect” (VT47/35), and T. pinke “little-one, baby” (VT48/6), though the last of these might be from √PIK. In any case it seems Tolkien continued to use all of √PI, √PIK and √PIN to form words for little things into the late 1960s.

In The Shibboleth of Fëanor from the late 1960s, Tolkien changed pitya to Q. nitya in the name Q. Nityafinwë “Little Finwë” (PM/353, 365 note #59), which may indicate a replacement of √PIK by √NIK, another root used regularly in Tolkien’s later writings for “small”. But I believe √PIK and √NIK may coexist with slightly different meanings: “tiny” vs. “small”; see the entry on √NIK for further discussion.

kat

root. shape, shape, [ᴹ√] make

The root ᴹ√KAT “shape” first appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s with derivatives ᴹQ. kanta- “to shape”, ᴹQ. kanta “shaped”, and N. echad- “fashion, shape” (Ety/KAT). All these derivatives reappeared in Tolkien’s later writings, though Q. canta was more typically used as the noun “shape” (PE17/175; PE18/84, 90). The root appeared frequently in both the first and second version of Tengwesta Qenderinwa as an example of a biconsonantal root (TQ1: PE18/34, 46, 62; TQ2: PE18/84-85, 87, 89-90, 95).

kelus

noun. brook

tini

noun. spark

ñgūr

noun. wolf

cinta

small

cinta adj. "small" (PE17:157)

inya

small

inya (2) adj. "small" (LT1:256; this "Qenya" word may be obsoleted by # 1 above)

mintë

small

mintë adj. "small" (VT45:35)

mitsa

small

mitsa adj. "small" (VT45:35) Another synonym from the same source, mitra, looks unusual for a Quenya word (because of the medial cluster tr)

nincë

small

*nincë (ninci*-) ("k")adj. "small". The form is given as "ninki" with the last vowel marked as short; this is probably the etymological form that would underlie Quenya nincë. The word is said to mean "small" with "good senses"; contrast nípa**, *nimpë. (VT48:18)

nitya

small

#nitya adj. "small" (VT48:15, PM:365)

níca

small

níca ("k")adj. "small". The word is said to mean "small" with "good senses"; contrast nípa, *nimpë. (VT47:26, VT48:18)

pinilya

small

pinilya adj. "small" (MC:220; this is "Qenya")

cinta

adjective. small

aiwë

noun. (small) bird

A noun meaning “(small) bird” (SA/lin¹, Ety/AIWĒ), appearing in Radagast’s Quenya name Aiwendil “Lover of Birds” (UT/401). It was derived from primitive ᴹ✶aiwē like its Sindarin cognate aew (Ety/AIWĒ).

Conceptual Development: In the Gnomish Lexicon from the 1910s, ᴱQ. aiwe appeared as the cognate of G. aigli “bird” (GL/17), but in Early Noldorin notes from the 1920s, the cognate of ᴱN. aiw “bird” was given as ᴱQ. oive (PE13/136, 158) or oi(we) (PE13/132). A similar form oio (stem oiw-) appeared in notes on the Declension of Nouns from the early 1930s (PE21/12). In The Etymologies from the mid-1930s, the form ᴹQ. aiwe was restored (Ety/AIWĒ), and this is the source of the derivation given above.

pí

noun. small insect, fly, small insect, fly, *mite, gnat; [ᴱQ.] speck, spot, dot, mote

A noun for a “small insect, fly” appearing in notes from 1968 as an example of a primitive monosyllabic noun that survived in modern Quenya (VT47/35). Its primitive form was originally glossed “small bird”. I think it might apply to other tiny insects like mites or gnats, based on its conceptual precursors. Likely it is related to the root √PI(N) for tiny things.

Conceptual Development: In the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s Tolkien had ᴱQ. pī “speck, spot, dot, mote” and ᴱQ. pin or pink “a little thing, mite”, the latter also serving as a diminutive ending, all under the early roots ᴱ√PINI, ᴱ√PIKI, or ᴱ√PĪ (QL/73). It is unclear whether or not ᴱQ. pin(k) “mite” could refer to an insect or only a tiny thing. In the Declension of Nouns of the early 1930s, Tolkien had ᴹQ. mí “fly” (PE21/40).

aiwë

(small) bird

aiwë noun "(small) bird" (AIWĒ, SA:lin #1); Aiwendil "Lover of Birds" (UT:401)

filit

small bird

filit (filic- ("k"), as in pl. filici) noun "small bird" (PHILIK)

hala

(small) fish

hala (1) noun "(small) fish" (KHAL1, SKAL2, VT45:20)

hópa

haven, harbour, small landlocked bay

hópa noun "haven, harbour, small landlocked bay" (KHOP)

lotsë

small single flower

lotsë noun "small single flower" (VT42:18)

netil

trinket, [?small thing] of personal adornment

netil noun "trinket, [?small thing] of personal adornment" (Tolkien's gloss was not certainly legible) (VT47:33)

nimpë

small; small & frail

*nimpë (nimpi*-) adj. "small; small & frail". The form is given as "nimpi" with the last vowel marked as short; this is probably the etymological form that would underlie Quenya nimpë. The word is said to mean "small" with "connotation of weakness". Also nípa** (VT48:18)

nípa

small; small & frail

nípa adj. "small; small & frail". The word is said to mean "small" with "connotation of weakness". Also *nimpë (VT48:18)

pica

small spot, dot

pica (1) ("k")noun "small spot, dot" (PIK)

pí

small insect, fly

pí noun "small insect, fly" (VT47:35)

sar

(small) stone

sar (sard-, as in pl. sardi) noun "(small) stone" (SAR). In Elessar, q.v. Since Tolkien let this name have a stem in -sarn- (genitive Ele[s]sarno, VT49:28), he may seem to have changed the stem-form of sar from sard- to sarn-.

venë

small boat, vessel, dish

venë noun "small boat, vessel, dish" (LT1:254)

indyel

noun. small bell

small bell

lotsë

noun. small (single) flower

A word for a “smaller flower” or a “small single flower” based on the root √LOT (PE17/160; VT42/18). In one place it had a variant lotte (PE17/160), but I think lotsë is more distinct. The general word for a “(large) flower” was lótë; see that entry for discussion.

Conceptual Development: In the Qenya Lexicon and Poetic and Mythological Words of Eldarissa of the 1910s, ᴱQ. tetl was “small flower” based on the early root ᴱ√TETE “bud, blossom” (QL/92; PME/92)

netil

noun. trinket, (?small thing) of personal adornment, trinket, small thing of personal adornment

A word for “trinket, (?small thing) of personal adornment” [part of the gloss is hard to read] derived from √NET “trim, pretty, dainty” in notes from the late 1960s associated with one of the etymologies for nettë “(little) girl” (VT47/33).

nillë

noun. small [woman]

A diminutive form of nís “woman” given as nill- “small [woman]” in notes from 1968 (VT47/33).

Conceptual Development: An analogous diminutive form ᴱQ. qimelle “little woman” appeared in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s based on earlier ᴱQ. qin (qim-) “woman” (QL/77); this early word was also mentioned in the contemporaneous Gnomish Lexicon (GL/45).

nyelle

noun. small bell

small bell

rotto

noun. small grot, tunnel, tunnel, small grot, [ᴹQ.] cave

A word glossed “tunnel, small grot” derived from the root √s-rot (PM/365 note #56), appearing in 1959 notes discussing the origin of the name of Felagund, which in that document based on a Khuzdul name. The English word “grot” is an archaic form of “grotto”, referring to a cave.

Conceptual Development: There are a number of similar “cave” words in the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s derived from ᴱ√ROTO “hollow”, including ᴱQ. orot, ᴱQ. rótele, and ᴱQ. rotl, the last of these glossed “cave, hollow” with a deleted variant {rotta >> rotto} (QL/71, 80). This last word also appeared as ᴱQ. rotl “grot” in the Poetic and Mythological Words of Eldarissa (PME/80). ᴹQ. rotto “cave, tunnel” appeared under the root ᴹ√ROT “bore, tunnel”, a late entry to The Etymologies of the 1930s (EtyAC/ROT). This root reappeared as the basis for “cave” words a number of places in later writings (PE17/183; VT39/9; WJ/414-415), but the only later mention of rotto is the aforementioned 1959 note on Felagund, given above.

indyel

noun. small bell

nyellë

noun. small bell, [ᴹQ.] bell, [Q.] small bell

níca

adjective. little, small

nípa

adjective. small (usually with connotation of weakness)

lottë

noun. small flower

lat

noun. flap, small hinged door, lid

saunë

noun. bath, small pool

titinwë

noun. small star, sparkle of dew, *small sparkling thing

venë

noun. dish, [eating] vessel, small boat

mië

crumb

mië noun "crumb" (PE13:150), "bit, small piece" (PE16:143)

rotto

cave, tunnel

rotto noun "cave, tunnel" (VT46:12), "a small grot or tunnel" (PM:365)

motto

noun. fen, marsh, fen, marsh; [ᴹQ.] blot

The word ᴹQ. motto first appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s with the gloss “blot” as a derivative of the root ᴹ√MBOTH (Ety/MBOTH). It reappeared in Quenya Notes (QN) from 1957 as a derivative of √MOT “fen, marsh”, apparently of the same meaning. Its 1957 Sindarin form both < mbotto implies the root may have been √M(B)OT. For purposes of Neo-Quenya, I’d keep both the 1957 and 1930s senses, as derivations of slightly different roots.

nitya

adjective. little

canta

shape

canta (2) _("k") noun"shape" (PE17:175), also used as adj._ "shaped", also as quasi-suffix -canta ("k") "-shaped" (KAT)

felco

cave, mine, underground dwelling

felco noun "cave, mine, underground dwelling" (PE17:118); also felca, felehta

felya

cave

felya noun "cave" (PHÉLEG), "mine, boring, tunnel, underground dwel[ling]" (PE17:118)

harma

wolf

[harma (2) noun "wolf" (3ARAM). The gloss "hound" was inserted, but then deleted (VT45:17)]

linya

pool

linya noun "pool" (LIN1)

lóna

pool, mere

lóna (1) noun "pool, mere" (VT42:10). Variant of lón, lónë above?

maiwë

gull

maiwë noun "gull" (MIW), pl. maiwi in _Markirya. Cf. also the "Qenya" pl. maiwin "gulls" (MC:213)_

masto

village

masto noun "village" (LT1:251)

narmo

wolf

narmo ("ñ")noun "wolf" (ÑGAR(A)M; both the old form ñarmo = *ngarmo and the Third Age form narmo are given). Another word for "wolf" is ráca.

nellë

brook

nellë noun "brook" (NEN)

nendë

pool

nendë (1) noun "pool" (NEN), "lake" (PE17:52)

on

stone

on, ondo noun "stone" (LT2:342, LT1:254 probably only ondo in LotR-style Quenya, see below). Various "Qenya" forms: ondoli "rocks" (MC:213; this would be a partitive plural in LotR-style Quenya), ondolin "rocks" (MC:220), ondoisen "upon rocks" (MC:221), ondolissen "rocks-on" (MC:214; the latter form, partitive plural locative, is still valid in LotR-style Quenya).

ondo

stone

ondo noun "stone" as a material, also "rock" (UT:459, GOND). Pl. ondor in an earlier variant of Markirya; partitive pl. locative ondolissë "on rocks" in the final version. Compounded in ondomaitar "sculptor in stone" (PE17:163), Ondoher masc.name, *"Stone-lord" (ondo alluding to Ondonórë = Sindarin Gondor, "stone-land") (Appendix A), #ondolunca ("k") "stonewain", possessive form in the place-name Nand Ondoluncava "Stonewain Valley" (PE17:28, also Ondoluncanan(do) as a compound). Ondolindë place-name "Gondolin" (SA:gond, J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist & Illustrator p. 193); see Ondo. Earlier "Qenya" has Ondolinda _(changed from Ondolin) "singing stone, Gondolin" (LT1:254)_

pia

little

pia adj. "little" (PE17:115); variants picina ("k"), pincë ("k"), pitya

pitya

little

#pitya adj. "little" in Pityafinwë, Pitya-naucor

rotelë

cave

rotelë noun "cave" (LT2:347)

ráca

wolf

ráca ("k") noun "wolf" (DARÁK). Another word for "wolf" is narmo.

salma

lyre

salma noun "lyre" (LT1:265)

tereva

fine, acute

tereva adj. "fine, acute" (TER/TERES), "piercing"_ (LT1:255; though glossed "fine, acute" in the Etymologies, the stem _TER is defined as "pierce")

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).

titta

little, tiny

titta adj. "little, tiny" (TIT)

tixë

dot, tiny mark, point

tixë ("ks")noun "dot, tiny mark, point" (TIK)

venië

shape, cut

venië noun? "shape, cut" (LT1:254)

venwë

shape, cut

venwë noun? "shape, cut" (LT1:254)

wentë

brook

wentë noun "brook" (GL:46)

wilin

bird

wilin noun "bird" (LT1:273; if this "Qenya" word is to be used in LotR-style Quenya, it must not be confused with the 1st pers. aorist of the verb wil-.)

cat-

verb. shape

shape, fashion

maiwë

noun. gull

A noun for “gull” appearing in its plural form maiwi in the Q. Markirya poem of the 1960s (MC/222). In The Etymologies of the 1930s, ᴹQ. maiwe “gull” was derived from the root ᴹ√MIW “whine” (Ety/MIW).

Conceptual Development: In the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s the word was ᴱQ. māwe (māwi-) “gull” under the early root ᴱ√MAWA “cry, bleat” (QL/60), also mentioned in the Poetic and Mythological Words of Eldarissa (PME/60). In Early Qenya Word-lists from the 1920s Tolkien instead had vaiya or {maiwe >>} waiwe “seamew” (PE16/138), but in the version of the ᴱQ. Oilima Markirya poem from circa 1930, Tolkien used maiwe in its nominative plural form maiwin “gulls” (MC/213).

nauro

noun. wolf

wolf, werewolf of Morgoth

pia

adjective. little

picina

adjective. little

pincë

adjective. little

quéne

noun. petrel

tixe

noun. dot

ʼondō

noun. stone

PQ. stone

cidinn

adjective. small

_ adj. _small. Q. cinta.

cinnog

adjective. small

_ adj. _small. Q. cinta.

aew

noun. (small) bird

A noun meaning “(small) bird” (SA/lin¹, Ety/AIWĒ), appearing in the name Linaewen “Lake of Birds” (S/119, UT/401). It was derived from primitive ᴹ✶aiwē like its Quenta cognate aiwë (Ety/AIWĒ), with the primitive diphthong ai becoming the ae in Sindarin.

Conceptual Development: In the Gnomish Lexicon from the 1910s, G. aigli “bird” was given as a derivative of the root ᴱ√aı̯, though in this early iteration Tolkien said it especially applied to larger instead of smaller birds (GL/17). In Early Noldorin notes from the 1920s, it became ᴱN. aiw “bird” (PE13/136, 158). In The Etymologies from the 1930s, the form became N. aew “(small) bird” (Ety/AIWĒ), and this is the source of the derivation given above.

both

noun. fen, marsh, fen, marsh; [N.] puddle, small pool

The word N. both first appeared in The Etymologies of the 1930s with the gloss “puddle, small pool” as a derivative of the root ᴹ√MBOTH (Ety/MBOTH). It reappeared in Quenya Notes (QN) from 1957 as a derivative of √MOT “fen, marsh”, apparently of the same meaning, along with variants moth and amoth. For purposes of Neo-Sindarin, I’d use the form both and retain the 1957 and 1930s senses as derivations of slightly different roots.

elanor

noun. pimpernel, small golden star-shaped flower, (lit.) sun-star

The name of a flower in Lórien translated “sun-star” also given as the name of the first daughter of Samwise (LotR/1026). It is a combination of el “star” and Anor “sun” (PE17/55). In notes for the tale of Aldarion and Erendis, Tolkien said it also grew in Númenor and “was a small golden star-shaped flower” (UT/216 note #20). In a letter to Amy Ronald from 1969, Tolkien described it as “a pimpernel (perhaps a little enlarged) growing sun-golden flowers and star-silver ones on the same plant, and sometimes the two combined” (Let/402). Thus it was either a golden star-shaped flower or a pimpernel-like plant growing both sun-coloured and star-coloured flowers.

niben

adjective. petty, petty, *small

nimp

adjective. pale, pallid, white, pale, pallid, white; small and frail, [ᴱN.] wan, sickly

aew

noun. (small) bird

niben

adjective. small, petty

nimp

adjective. small and frail

sarn

noun. small stone

Sern in UT/463 is a misprint, see VT/42:11

tinu

noun. spark, small star

mîw

small

1) mîw (tiny, frail), lenited vîw, no distinct pl. form, 2) niben (petty), pl. nibin. Also used as a name for the the little finger. (VT48:6) 3) SMALL (and frail) nimp, no distinct pl. form (VT48:18)

mîw

small

(tiny, frail), lenited vîw, no distinct pl. form

niben

small

(petty), pl. nibin. Also used as a name for the the little finger. (VT48:6) 

nimp

small

no distinct pl. form (VT48:18)

aew

small bird

aew. No distinct pl. form.

aew

small bird

. No distinct pl. form.

both

small pool

(i moth, construct both) (puddle), pl. byth (i mbyth). David Salo would lengthen the vowel and read ✱bôth in Sindarin.

both

small pool

both (i moth, construct both) (puddle), pl. byth (i mbyth). David Salo would lengthen the vowel and read *bôth in Sindarin.

both

small pool

both (i moth) (puddle), pl. byth (i mbyth). David Salo would lengthen the vowel and read *bôth in Sindarin.

cuen

small gull

(i guen, o chuen) (petrel), pl. ?cuin (?i chuin) (VT45:24)

cuen

small gull

cuen (i guen, o chuen) (petrel), pl. ?cuin (?i chuin) (VT45:24).

glâd

small forest

(i ’lâd, construct glad) (wood), pl. glaid (in glaid).

glâd

small) forest

glâd (i **lâd, construct glad) (wood), pl. glaid (in glaid**)

glâd

small forest

glâd (i **lâd, construct glad) (wood), pl. glaid (in glaid**).

hûb

small landlocked bay

hûb (i chûb, o chûb, construct hub) (harbour, haven), pl. huib (i chuib).

hûb

small landlocked bay

(i chûb, o chûb, construct hub) (harbour, haven), pl. huib (i chuib).

limig

noun. [small] drop, drop of water

limmeg

noun. young fish, small fry

paen

small gull

(i baen, o phaen) (petrel), no distinct pl. form except with article (i phaen). Suggested Sindarin form of ”Noldorin” poen, VT45:24.

paen

small gull

1) *paen (i baen, o phaen) (petrel), no distinct pl. form except with article (i phaen). Suggested Sindarin form of ”Noldorin” poen, VT45:24. 2) cuen (i guen, o chuen) (petrel), pl. ?cuin (?i chuin) (VT45:24)

pibin

noun. small berry, haw

pêg

small spot

(i** bêg, construct peg) (dot), pl. pîg (i** phîg) 

pêg

small spot

(i bêg, construct peg) (dot), pl. pîg (i phîg)

pêg

small spot

pêg (i bêg, construct peg) (dot), pl. pîg (i phîg)

pêg

small spot

pêg (i bêg, construct peg) (dot), pl. pîg (i phîg)

tim

small star

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

tim

small star

. In First Age North Sindarin this word appears as tim (MR:388). Archaic tinw, so the coll. pl. is likely tinwath. 3)

tinu

small star

(i** dinu, o thinu; also -din at the end of compounds) (spark), analogical pl. tiny (i** thiny). Archaic tinw, so the coll. pl. is likely  tinwath.

tinu

small star

tinu (i dinu, o thinu; also -din at the end of compounds) (spark), analogical pl. tiny (i thiny). Archaic tinw, so the coll. pl. is likely tinwath.

tinu

small star

tinu (i dinu, o thinu; also -din at the end of compounds) (spark), analogical pl. tiny (i thiny), coll. pl. tinwath

tiphin

noun. small flute

pîn

adjective. little

Similar words occur in Gnomish (pinig "tiny, little", PE/11:64) and in Qenya (pinea "small" etc., PE/12:73)

aew

bird

(small bird) 1) aew. No distinct pl. form. 2) fileg, pl. filig; the form filigod appears as an alternative singular. or

both

puddle

both (i moth) (small pool), pl. byth (i mbyth). David Salo would lengthen the vowel and read *bôth in Sindarin.

both

puddle

(i moth) (small pool), pl. byth (i mbyth). David Salo would lengthen the vowel and read ✱bôth in Sindarin.

cuen

petrel

(i guen, o chuen) (small gull), pl. ?cuin (?i chuin) (VT45:24)

hûb

haven

hûb (i chûb, o chûb, contruct hub) (harbor, small landlocked bay), pl. huib (i chuib)

hûb

haven

(i chûb, o chûb, contruct hub) (harbor, small landlocked bay), pl. huib (i chuib)

mîw

tiny

(small, frail), lenited vîw, no distinct pl. form

niben

petty

niben (small), pl. nibin. Also used as a name for the the little finger (VT48:6).

niben

petty

(small), pl. nibin. Also used as a name for the the little finger (VT48:6).

paen

petrel

1) *paen (i baen, o phaen) (small gull), no distinct pl. form except with article (i phaen) Suggested Sindarin form of ”Noldorin” poen, VT45:24. 2) cuen (i guen, o chuen) (small gull), pl. ?cuin (?i chuin) (VT45:24)

paen

petrel

(i baen, o phaen) (small gull), no distinct pl. form except with article (i phaen) Suggested Sindarin form of ”Noldorin” poen, VT45:24.

pêg

dot

pêg (i bêg, construct peg) (small spot), pl. pîg (i phîg)

pêg

dot

(i bêg, construct peg) (small spot), pl. pîg (i phîg)

sarn

stone

1) (small stone, or stone as material) sarn (i harn, o sarn), pl. sern (i sern); also used as adj. ”stony, made of stone”. 2) gôn (i **ôn, construct gon); pl. gŷn, coll. pl. #**gonath as in Argonath. 3) (larger stone) gond (i **ond, construct gon) (great stone or rock), pl. gynd (i ngynd = i ñynd), coll. pl. gonnath** (Letters:410).

sarn

made of stone, stony

(lenited harn; pl. sern); also used as noun ”small stone, pebble, stone [as material]”; as adj. also = ”stony”.

tithen

tiny

1) tithen (lenited dithen, pl. tithin) (little), 2) mîw (small, frail), lenited vîw, no distinct pl. form; 3) pigen (lenited bigen; pl. pigin)

saun

noun. bath

(a)moth

noun. fen, marsh

aewen

adjective. of birds

auth

noun. a dim shape, spectral or vague apparition

cant

noun. shape, shape; [N.] outline

círbann

noun. haven

draug

noun. wolf

draug

noun. wolf

A noun for “wolf”, most notably appearing as an element in the name of the great werewolf S. Draugluin. In The Etymologies of the 1930s, N. draug “wolf” was derived from the root ᴹ√DARAK (Ety/DARÁK).

feleg

noun. cave

n. cave, mine, underground dwelling. Q. felco. Q.

fân

shape

_n._shape, with the added notion of light and whiteness. It was thus often used where we might use 'a vision' (of something beautiful and sublime). Q. fana-. Tolkien notes that "Yet being elvish, though it may be used of things remote, it has no implication either of uncertainty or unreality" (PE17:26). In the name Fanuilos of Elbereth, the Fân was the vision of majesty of Elbereth upon the mountain where she dwelt.

gaurwaith

noun. wolf-men

gil-

prefix. spark

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

gond

noun. great stone, rock

gond

stone

_n. _stone, rock. Archaic S. gond > gonn. Q. ondo. >> Gondor

gondren

adjective. (made) of stone

groth

noun. cave, tunnel, large excavation

groth

noun. delving, underground dwelling

gwael

noun. gull

lhind

adjective. fine, slender

loeg

noun. pool

loeg

noun. pool

lonnath

noun. havens

lîn

noun. pool

maew

noun. gull

A noun for “gull” first appearing as N. maew in The Etymologies of the 1930s derived from the root ᴹ√MIW “whine” (Ety/MIW). It appeared in later notes as an archaic genitive plural maewion in the phrase S. †glim maewion “(the) voices of gulls” (PE17/97). Its class plural mewrim seems to have appeared in S. Ras Mewrim “✱Cape of the Gulls”, an alternate name for S. Bar-in-Mŷl “Home of the Gulls” (WJ/190). If so, the vowel e would be the result of the sound change whereby ae sometimes became e in polysyllables.

mŷl

noun. gull

mŷl

noun. gull

A word for “gull” in the name S. Bar-in-Mŷl “Home of the Gulls” (WJ/379); its singular and plural forms would be the same. It might be derived from ✱miulē < ᴹ√MIW “whine”, the basis for other “gull” words, since iu became ȳ in Sindarin. I’d recommend using the better attested S. maew “gull” for purposes of Neo-Sindarin.

niben

adjective. little finger (Elvish play-name used by and taught to children)

pîn

adjective. little

rim

noun. cold pool or lake (in mountains)

rond

noun. cave roof

rond

noun. vaulted or arched roof, as seen from below (and usually not visible from outside), or a (large) hall of chamber so roofed

roth

noun. cave

n. cave. Q. rondo.

sarn

noun. stone (as a material)

Sern in UT/463 is a misprint, see VT/42:11

tin

noun. spark

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

tîn

spark

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

ael

pool

1) ael (aelin-, pl. aelin) (lake, mere). In ”Noldorin” oel, pl. oelin. 2)

ael

pool

(aelin-, pl. aelin) (lake, mere). In ”Noldorin” oel, pl. oelin.

aew

bird

. No distinct pl. form.

aewen

of birds

pl. aewin.

blab

flap

blab- (i vlâb, i mlebir) (beat), pa.t. blamp

blab

flap

(i vlâb, i mlebir) (beat), pa.t. blamp**

brand

fine

1) brand (high, lofty, noble), lenited vrand, pl. braind, 2) trîw (lenited drîw; no distinct pl. form) (slender) , 3) *lhind (slender), lenited ?thlind or ?lind (the lenition product of lh is uncertain); no distinct pl. form. Sugggested Sindarin form of ”Noldorin” thlind.

brand

fine

(high, lofty, noble), lenited vrand, pl. braind

cant

shape

(noun) cant (i gant, o chant) (outline), pl. caint (i **chaint). The mutated pl. -chaint is attested as part of the compound morchaint**; see SHADOW.

cant

shape

(i gant, o chant) (outline), pl. caint (i chaint). The mutated pl. -chaint is attested as part of the compound morchaint; see SHADOW.

cirbann

noun. haven

@@@ círbann in HSD

círbann

haven

círbann (i gírbann, o chírbann, construct círban), pl. círbain (i chírbain).

círbann

haven

(i gírbann, o chírbann, construct círban), pl. círbain (i chírbain).

draug

wolf

1) draug (i dhraug), pl. droeg (in droeg), coll. pl. drogath; 2) garaf (i ngaraf = i ñaraf, o n**garaf = o ñgaraf), pl. geraif (in geraif = i ñgeraif), coll. pl. garavath**, 3)

draug

wolf

(i dhraug), pl. droeg (in droeg), coll. pl. drogath

echad

shape

(verb) echad- (i echad, in echedir) (fashion, make), pa.t. echant (VT45:19)

echad

shape

(i echad, in echedir) (fashion, make), pa.t. echant (VT45:19)

emlinn

yellowhammer

(= "yellow singer"); no distinct pl. form. Also emelin, no distinct pl. form; coll. pl. emelinnath. Adj.

fela

cave

(pl. fili). In the Etymologies (LR:381 s.v. PHÉLEG) the name Felagund is said to include this word, but since Tolkien later re-explained this name as a borrowing from Dwarvish, some would consider fela as a word for ”cave” conceptually obsolete.

fileg

bird

pl. filig; the form filigod appears as an alternative singular.

garaf

wolf

(i ngaraf = i ñaraf, o n’garaf = o ñgaraf), pl. geraif (in geraif = i ñgeraif), coll. pl. garavath

gaur

wolf

(i ngaur = i ñaur), pl. goer (in goer = i ñgoer), coll. pl. gaurhoth (attested in lenited form: i ngaurhoth = i ñaurhoth).

gobel

village

(walled village or house) gobel (i **obel) (enclosed dwelling, ”town”), pl. gebil (i ngebil** = i ñebil). Archaic pl. *göbil.

gond

stone

(i ’ond, construct gon) (great stone or rock), pl. gynd (i ngynd = i ñynd), coll. pl. gonnath (Letters:410).

gondrath

street of stone

(i ’ondrath) (causeway, raised stone highway), pl. gendraith (i ngendraith = i ñendraith). Archaic pl. göndreith. (WJ:340)

gondren

made of stone, stony

(stony), lenited ’ondren, pl. gendrin. Archaic pl. göndrin (TI:270).

gonhir

master of stone

(i ’Onhir), no distinct pl. form except with article (i Ngonhir = i Ñonhir), maybe primarily used as a coll. pl. Gonhirrim  (WJ:205, there spelt ”Gonnhirrim”)

groth

cave

(i ’roth) (delving, large excavation), pl. gryth (in gryth) (VT46:12)

grôd

cave

1) grôd (i **rôd, construct grod) (delving, excavation, underground dwelling), pl. grŷd (in grŷd) (WJ:414), 2) groth (i **roth) (delving, large excavation), pl. gryth (in gryth) (VT46:12), 3) rond (construct ron) (cavern, vault, vaulted ceiling, hall with vaulted roof), pl. rynd (idh rynd), coll. pl. ronnath, 4) roth (delving, large excavation), pl. ryth, 4) gathrod (i **athrod), pl. gethryd (i ngethryd = i ñethryd), 5) fela (pl. fili). In the Etymologies (LR:381 s.v. PHÉLEG) the name Felagund is said to include this word, but since Tolkien later re-explained this name as a borrowing from Dwarvish, some would consider fela** as a word for ”cave” conceptually obsolete.

grôd

cave

(i ’rôd, construct grod) (delving, excavation, underground dwelling), pl. grŷd (in grŷd) (WJ:414)

gwael

gull

(i ’wael), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gwael)

gôn

stone

(i ’ôn, construct gon); pl. gŷn, coll. pl. #gonath as in Argonath.

lhind

fine

(slender), lenited ?thlind or ?lind (the lenition product of lh is uncertain); no distinct pl. form. Sugggested Sindarin form of ”Noldorin” thlind.

lhind

adjective. fine, slender

lhê

fine thread

(?i thlê or ?i lê – the lenition product of lh is uncertain) (spider filament), pl. lhî (?i lî). Suggested Sindarin form of ”Noldorin” thlê.

loeg

pool

loeg (no distinct pl. form: loeg is also atttested with plural meaning) (VT45:29). 4) nên (water, lake, stream, waterland), construct nen, pl. nîn.

loeg

pool

(no distinct pl. form: loeg is also atttested with plural meaning) (VT45:29). 4) nên (water, lake, stream, waterland), construct nen, pl. nîn.

lond

haven

lond (harbour, pass, strait; narrow path), pl. lynd, coll. pl. lonnath (as in the name Lonnath Ernin, WR:294)

lond

haven

(harbour, pass, strait; narrow path), pl. lynd, coll. pl. lonnath (as in the name Lonnath Ernin, WR:294)

lorn

haven

lorn (anchorage, harbour, quiet water), pl. lyrn (VT45:29)

lorn

haven

(anchorage, harbour, quiet water), pl. lyrn (VT45:29)

lîn

pool

lîn (lake), no distinct pl. form, but coll. pl. #**liniath (isolated from Hithliniath**, WJ:194). 3)

lîn

pool

(lake), no distinct pl. form, but coll. pl. #*liniath*** (isolated from Hithliniath**, WJ:194). 3)

m

gull

ŷl (i vŷl, construct myl), no distinct pl. form except with article (i mŷl).

maew

gull

1) maew (i vaew), no distinct pl. except with article (i maew), coll. pl. maewrim; 2) gwael (i **wael), no distinct pl. form except with article (in gwael), 3) mŷl (i vŷl, construct myl), no distinct pl. form except with article (i mŷl**).

maew

gull

(i vaew), no distinct pl. except with article (i maew), coll. pl. maewrim

nogotheg

petty-dwarf

(”dwarflet”), pl. negethig for archaic nögethig (WJ:388).

othronn

fortress in a cave/caves

(pl. ethrynn for archaic öthrynn) (underground stronghold). Cited in archaic form othrond in the source (WJ:414).

pigen

tiny

(lenited bigen; pl. pigin)

rhûd

artificial cave

(construct rhud, with article ?i thrûd or ?i rûd – *the lenition product of rh- is uncertain) (dwelling underground, rockhewn hall, mine), pl. rhuid (?idh ruid). (PM:365)*

rond

cave

(construct ron) (cavern, vault, vaulted ceiling, hall with vaulted roof), pl. rynd (idh rynd), coll. pl. ronnath

roth

cave

(delving, large excavation), pl. ryth, 4) gathrod (i ’athrod), pl. gethryd (i ngethryd = i ñethryd)

sarn

stone

(i harn, o sarn), pl. sern (i sern); also used as adj. ”stony, made of stone”.

sâd

spot

sâd (-had; i hâd, o sâd, construct sad) (place, limited area naturally or artificially defined), pl. said (i said) (UT:314, VT42:20)

sâd

spot

(-had; i hâd, o sâd, construct sad) (place, limited area naturally or artificially defined), pl. said (i said) (UT:314, VT42:20)

tess

fine pierced hole

(i dess, construct tes), pl. tiss (i thiss). Older ters (VT46:18).

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 =

tithen

little

1) tithen (lenited dithen, pl. tithin) (tiny), 2) pîn (lenited bîn; no distinct pl. form) (RC:536).

tithen

tiny

(lenited dithen, pl. tithin) (little)

trîw

fine

(lenited drîw; no distinct pl. form) (slender)

mithren

adjective. small

cuen

noun. small gull, petrel, sea-bird

A noun appearing as cuen “small gull, petrel” in The Etymologies of the 1930s, a loan word from Ilk. cwên of the same meaning, derived from the primitive root ᴹ√KWǢ (EtyAC/KWǢ). Its Noldorin form N. poen had fallen out of use. It also appeared with the form cuén “a sea-bird” in notes on The Feanorian Alphabet from the 1930s, again as a loan word from Ilkorin (PE22/32).

Neo-Sindarin: Since Ilkorin was no longer a part of Tolkien’s system of Elvish languages in the 1950s and 60s, this word is somewhat questionable, but I think it is worth retaining, reimagined as a loan word from a different language (probably a dialect of Nandorin).

fileg

noun. small bird, small bird, [G.] *sparrow

A noun in The Etymologies of the 1930s glossed “small bird” derived from the root ᴹ√PHILIK and cognate to ᴹQ. filit (filik-) of the same meaning (Ety/PHILIK). Tolkien said fileg was an “analogical singular” form (along with another singular form filigod) based on its plural form filig. That is because the final -k in ✱philik was lost in ancient times, as explained in Common Eldarin: Noun Structure from the early 1950s (PE21/72) so that its historical phonetic development would have produced singular N./S. ✱fil. This form was deemed unsuitable, and a new singular form fileg was constructed based on the plural. Something similar happened with S. thoron “eagle”.

Conceptual Development: The Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s had G. bilin or bilinc for “a small bird, especially sparrow”, a diminutive form of G. bil “bird” (GL/22, 23).

Neo-Sindarin: I think it is likely that fileg can also be used to refer to sparrows for purposes of Neo-Sindarin, since its Quenya cognate filit was in one place glossed “sparrow, small bird” (PE21/56).

poen

noun. small gull, petrel

A noun for “small gull, petrel” in The Etymologies of the 1930s derived from ᴹ✶kwǣnē under the root ᴹ√KWǢ, but it fell out of use and was replaced by N. cuen, a loan-word from Ilkorin (EtyAC/KWǢ).

aew

noun. (small) bird

hûb

noun. haven, harbour, small landlocked bay

mîw

adjective. small, tiny, frail

peg

noun. dot, small spot

aew

noun. (small) bird

both

noun. puddle, small pool

both

noun. puddle, small pool

fileg

noun. small bird

filigod

noun. small bird

filigod

noun. small bird

hûb

noun. haven, harbour, small land-locked bay

mîw

adjective. small, tiny, frail

peg

noun. small spot, dot

sarn

noun. small stone

Sern in UT/463 is a misprint, see VT/42:11

tinw

noun. spark, small star

tinw

noun. spark, small star

garaf

noun. wolf

A noun for “wolf” in The Etymologies of the 1930s derived from the root ᴹ√ÑGARAM (Ety/ÑGAR(A)M).

Conceptual Development: This word seems to have replaced N. araf or aram derived from the rejected root ᴹ√ƷARAM with various glosses like “wolf” or (small or swift) “dog” (Ety/ƷARAM; EtyAC/ƷARAM). This in turn may be a later iteration of G. harog or harw “wolf” from the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s with feminine variant G. harach “a she-wolf” (GL/48).

cirban

noun. haven

cirban

noun. haven

cobas

place name. Haven

The bay north of Dol Amroth in early maps of Gondor from the 1940s (TI/312, WR/434), unnamed in the maps published in The Lord of the Rings. The name is similar to N. hobas “harbourage” and ᴱQ. kópas “harbour”. It was probably derived from the root ᴹ√KOP, a (rejected) variant of ᴹ√KHOP > hobas from The Etymologies of the 1930s (Ety/KOP, Ety/KHOP). See the entry on ᴹ√KHOP for details.

draug

noun. wolf

draug

noun. wolf

emelin

noun. yellow bird, "yellow hammer"

emlin

noun. yellow bird, "yellow hammer"

emmelin

noun. yellow bird, "yellow hammer"

fela

noun. cave

fela

noun. cave

garaf

noun. wolf

gathrod

noun. cave

gathrod

noun. cave

A noun in The Etymologies of the 1930s glossed “cave”, apparently a combination of N. gath “cavern” and ᴹ√ROT “tunnel” (Ety/GAT(H)). Its initial element also appeared in the name N. Doriath “Land of the Cave”, but in later writings S. Doriath was redefined as “Land of the Fence” with final element S. iath “fence” (WJ/370), so N. gathrod “cave” was probably abandoned.

gaul

noun. wolf-howl

gildin

noun. silver spark

gondrafn

noun. hewn stone

gondram

noun. hewn stone

gonn

noun. great stone, rock

lhîn

noun. pool

lhîn

noun. pool

liniath

noun. pools

lorn

noun. haven

maew

noun. gull

maew

noun. gull

pigen

adjective. tiny

pigen

adjective. tiny

rhim

noun. cold pool or lake (in mountains)

rhimb

noun. cold pool or lake (in mountains)

rhond

noun. cave roof

rhond

noun. vaulted or arched roof, as seen from below (and usually not visible from outside), or a (large) hall of chamber so roofed

rhonn

noun. cave roof

rhonn

noun. vaulted or arched roof, as seen from below (and usually not visible from outside), or a (large) hall of chamber so roofed

rond

noun. cave

sarn

noun. stone (as a material)

Sern in UT/463 is a misprint, see VT/42:11

thlind

adjective. fine, slender

thlinn

adjective. fine, slender

thlinn

adjective. fine, slender

tint

noun. spark

tint

noun. spark

tithen

adjective. little, tiny

trîw

adjective. fine, slender

loeg

noun. pool

@@@ as suggested by Lokyt, possibly a plural form of unattested log, since it is glossed in the plural in the source material: “pools”