brethil (Sindarin word)

From Tolkien Gateway

brethil is a Sindarin word meaning "beech-tree",[1] "silver birch"[2][3].

The 'ordinary' Sindarin word for birch was chwind or whinn.[3]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

brethil is derived from the root BERÉTH,[1] and is probably related to Gnomish bridh(n)ir ("queen, princess").[4][3]

Notes[edit | edit source]

The word should not be related to brethil "daughter of the Queen; princess"[3] which obviously derives from bereth (root BARAT).

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings "The Etymologies"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 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), pp. 19, 23, 82
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, "I-Lam na-Ngoldathon: The Grammar and Lexicon of the Gnomish Tongue", in Parma Eldalamberon XI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne)