Quendi

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The Quendë (Q, pron. [ˈkʷende]), plural Quendi (pron. [ˈkʷendi]), was the name given by the Elves to their own kind while they still dwelt at Cuiviénen. Quendë means "speaker; who speak with voices", for upon arising they met no other living thing that spoke or sang.[1] However, Ilúvatar also called them Quendi before any of them awoke.[2]

The plural form was much more popular as a word.

The word is a direct derivative of the Primitive Quendian word Kwende from Root KWENE.[3]

Quendë is an exceptional case where the PQ short final -e was retained in Quenya instead of disappearing.

References

Elves
(Quendi · People of the Stars · Firstborn · Elder Kindred)
Three Kindreds:
(Eldar · Eldalië · Edhil)
 Vanyar (Fair-elves · Minyar) · Noldor (Deep-elves · Tatyar) · Teleri (Lindar · Nelyar)
Calaquendi:
(High-elves · Amanyar)
 Vanyar · Noldor · Falmari
Úmanyar:  Sindar (Grey-elves · Eglath · Falathrim) · Nandor (Green-elves · Silvan Elves)
 Moriquendi:  Úmanyar · Avari (Cuind · Hwenti · Kindi · Kinn-lai · Penni · Windan)
See also:  Awakening of the Elves · Sundering of the Elves · Great Journey