prefix.double, second time, double, [repeat a] second time; [ᴱQ.] bi-, twi-; [ᴹQ.] back, again, re-
A prefix for “double” based on √AT of similar meaning used in various words like atendëa “double-middle” (RC/728) and atamaitë “two-handed” (PE17/162). In notes from around 1959 Tolkien said it could also be used for “again”, but “only in literal sense of second time, double” (PE17/166). Compare ataquanta- “refill” = “fill a second time” vs. the more ordinary word for “refill” = enquanta-.
Conceptual Development:The Etymologies of the 1930s translated the prefix ᴹQ. at(a)- as “back, again, re-” under the root ᴹ√AT(AT), which in this document was glossed “again, back” (Ety/AT(AT)). This distinction can be seen in 1940s ᴹQ. at-tul- “return” vs. later entul- from the 1950s and 60s. Earlier still the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s had ᴱQ. at-, att-, or atta- “bi-, twi-” under the early root ᴱ√ATA “dual” (QL/33).
Neo-Quenya: For purposes of Neo-Quenya, I would use at(a)- mainly in the sense “double, bi-, twi-”, and would only use it for the sense “re-” in the limited sense “do a second time” as described above. However, based on its meaning in The Etymologies, at(a)- is popular as a prefix for “re-” in many neologisms, but I would avoid this because these 1930s glosses predate Tolkien’s introduction of en- “re-”.
A prefix for “double” based on √AT of similar meaning used in various words like atendëa “double-middle” (RC/728) and atamaitë “two-handed” (PE17/162). In notes from around 1959 Tolkien said it could also be used for “again”, but “only in literal sense of second time, double” (PE17/166). Compare ataquanta- “refill” = “fill a second time” vs. the more ordinary word for “refill” = enquanta-.
Conceptual Development: The Etymologies of the 1930s translated the prefix ᴹQ. at(a)- as “back, again, re-” under the root ᴹ√AT(AT), which in this document was glossed “again, back” (Ety/AT(AT)). This distinction can be seen in 1940s ᴹQ. at-tul- “return” vs. later entul- from the 1950s and 60s. Earlier still the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s had ᴱQ. at-, att-, or atta- “bi-, twi-” under the early root ᴱ√ATA “dual” (QL/33).
Neo-Quenya: For purposes of Neo-Quenya, I would use at(a)- mainly in the sense “double, bi-, twi-”, and would only use it for the sense “re-” in the limited sense “do a second time” as described above. However, based on its meaning in The Etymologies, at(a)- is popular as a prefix for “re-” in many neologisms, but I would avoid this because these 1930s glosses predate Tolkien’s introduction of en- “re-”.