Kirinki

From Tolkien Gateway
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Kirinki portrayed in MERP

Kirinki was one of the many species of birds that were native to Númenor. These tiny birds were not known to be found anywhere within Aman and Middle-earth. The kirinki were said to be no bigger than wrens, with bright scarlet feathers, and piping voices so high that they could hardly even be heard by Men.[1][2]

Etymology

Kirinki is a Quenya word possibly meaning "little cutter". It is perhaps derived from KIR ("cut, cleave, pass swiftly through; shave; skim (surface), slip along, glide quickly"), -incë ("diminutive ending").[3][4]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "A Description of the Island of Númenor"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Three. The World, its Lands, and its Inhabitants: XIII. Of the Land and Beasts of Númenor"
  3. Paul Strack, "Q. Kirinki n.", Eldamo (accessed 4 September 2022)
  4. Helge Fauskanger, "Quenya Corpus Wordlist" at Ardalambion (accessed 13 March 2011)