Naith

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The Naith of Lórien was a wedge-shaped land between the Rivers Celebrant and Anduin, where the heartlands of Lothlórien lay, and its capital Caras Galadhon was found.[1]

Gore was Haldir's translation of the Elvish name Naith.

Etymology

The Sindarin word naith is glossed as "angle".[2]

The literal meaning was "spear-point", but over time it came to be used by the Elves for all manner of sharp or spear-like objects.[source?]

Tolkien translates naith into English using the word gore (meaning "sharp point"), a very close equivalent. Just like naith, gore can describe any of a wide range of narrow or pointed items, though it is now so rarely used that many readers find it almost as obscure as its Elvish equivalent. Its etymology goes back in time to Old English gára (a word for a narrow triangular piece of land) so Haldir's translation is a very precise one.[source?]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Lothlórien"
  2. 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. 55