Valaraukar

From Tolkien Gateway
Main article: Balrog

Valarauco pl. Valaraucar[1][2] is the Quenya name for the Maiarin followers of Morgoth better known in their Sindarin form: Balrogs.

Etymology

It is formed from words vala, 'power' and rauco, 'monster'.[3][4]

Other versions of the legendarium

In The Etymologies, the word Balrog is derived from ñgwalaraukô[4] displaying a derivation from root ñgwal- (referring to "torment, cruelty") instead of val-.[5]

In The Book of Lost Tales, the Qenya term is Malcarauce.

Note

Valarauco is not forming a regular plural **Valaraucor but changing the final vowel in the plural (-o > -ar). Helge Fauskanger suggests that the singular form uses the variant rauco, while the plural form uses the variant rauca for some reason.[3]

Another Quenya word which displays similar properties is perhaps sundo.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels p.415
  2. Vinyar Tengwar, Number 39, July 1998 p.10
  3. 3.0 3.1 Helge Fauskanger, "Quettaparma Quenyallo" dated 25 December 2008, Ardalambion (accessed 20 April 2024)
  4. 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", RUK
  5. Conrad Dunkerson, "The Truth About Balrogs", http://tolkien.slimy.com/ Tolkien Meta-FAQ (accessed 20 April 2024)