Incánus: Difference between revisions
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'''Incánus''' was [[Gandalf]]'s name "in the south" (probably meaning no further south than [[Gondor]] or the [[Near Harad]]<ref name=UT13/>), gained during his long travels in [[Middle-earth]] in the mid-[[Third Age]].<ref>{{TT|IV5}}</ref> | '''Incánus''' was [[Gandalf]]'s name "in the south" (probably meaning no further south than [[Gondor]] or the [[Near Harad]]<ref name=UT13/>), gained during his long travels in [[Middle-earth]] in the mid-[[Third Age]].<ref>{{TT|IV5}}</ref> | ||
== | ==Etymology== | ||
Although ''Incánus'' seems to be of unclear language and meaning, a note in the [[Thain's Book]] says it is a [[Quenya]] form simply adapted from a word in the tongue of the [[Haradrim]]: ''Inkā-nūsh'' (or possibly ''Inkā-nūs''), meaning "North-spy".<ref name=UT13>{{UT|13}}</ref> | Although ''Incánus'' seems to be of unclear language and meaning, a note in the [[Thain's Book]] says it is a [[Quenya]] form simply adapted from a word in the tongue of the [[Haradrim]]: ''Inkā-nūsh'' (or possibly ''Inkā-nūs''), meaning "North-spy".<ref name=UT13>{{UT|13}}</ref> | ||
==Other versions of the Legendarium== | ==Other versions of the Legendarium== | ||
Revision as of 21:36, 6 September 2010
Incánus was Gandalf's name "in the south" (probably meaning no further south than Gondor or the Near Harad[1]), gained during his long travels in Middle-earth in the mid-Third Age.[2]
Etymology
Although Incánus seems to be of unclear language and meaning, a note in the Thain's Book says it is a Quenya form simply adapted from a word in the tongue of the Haradrim: Inkā-nūsh (or possibly Inkā-nūs), meaning "North-spy".[1]
Other versions of the Legendarium
J.R.R. Tolkien several times changed his mind about the meaning of Incánus. Besides the etymology given above, his other variations were:
- Archaic Quenya word meaning "Mind-ruler", from in(id)- ("mind") and cáno ("ruler, governor, chieftain")[1]
- An adaptation from Quenya incānus(se), meaning "mind mastership"[3]
- A possible Westron invention meaning Greymantle[1]
Inspiration
Incánus in Latin means "grey-haired". Christopher Tolkien has noted that the "coincidence in form" might be an "accident".[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Istari"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Window on the West"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 88
