Gnomes

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.

Noldoli
Race
General Information
Members	Finwë, Fëanor, Finrod, Inglor, Beren, Turgon
Physical Description
Lifespan	Immortal.
Distinctions	Great skill with metal and gems, deep knowledge.
Average height	Tall.
Gallery	Images of Noldoli

The term Gnomes was briefly used in J.R.R. Tolkien's early work The Book of Lost Tales to describe the race of Elves that would become the Noldor. In those works he borrowed several folkloric names to describe his original creations, like Fae, Elves, Dwarves, Ogres and Goblins.

Etymology

The word likely comes from genomos "earth-dweller". It has a similarity with Greek γνώσις gnosis "knowledge" which is why Tolkien used it for the wise clan of his Elves (Quenya Ñoldo "the Wise").

Cf. also the Mannish word nóm meaning "wisdom".

Inspiration

A Gnome is a dwarf-like creature of European folklore, often associated with Dwarves and Goblins. Traditional Gnomes however were unlike his depiction of his High Elves, they were imagined as deformed, underground and by the 19th century were depicted dwarf-like.

For that reason Tolkien dropped the term since that would confuse the readers. However other folkloric names like "Elves", "Dwarves" and "Goblins" would persist in Tolkien's writing ever since, although he would be unsure about them (he did replace "Goblin" with "Orcs" after the publication of The Hobbit").

Other versions

At one time, "Gnomes" also referred to the Valar.

References

• Gnomes in Wikipedia