-il
From Tolkien Gateway
-il is a little-attested ending in the Sindarin language,[1] used sometimes to denote feminine gender.
Its counterpart is -on
Etymology
Possibly it derives from a Common Eldarin ending *-illê. This is supported by several Quenya words which end in -illë with Sindarin cognates in -il; most notably Q. amille "mother" vs. S. emil.
Examples
- emil "mother"[2]
- odhril "parent (referring to mother)"
- melethril "lover"[3]
- brennil "lady"[3]
- hiril "lady"[3]
- Thuringwethil "Woman of secret shadow"[4]
In at least one case, -il is said to be a diminutive ending
Examples
References
- ↑ Some of the examples refer to Noldorin as well
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Addenda and Corrigenda to the Etymologies — Part One" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter and Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 45, November 2003 p.5
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, The Etymologies
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
