Dailir

From Tolkien Gateway
Archers - Beleg by Marya Filatova

Dailir was the name of the arrow used by Beleg Strongbow with his bow, Belthronding. After shooting this arrow Beleg always found it unharmed. However, it was broken at last when Beleg fell upon it when he was carrying Túrin.[1] This arrow is only featured in the first version of The Lay of the Children of Húrin.[2]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

dailir is glossed "cleaver" in the Noldorin Word-lists, and is related to the Noldorin verb daila- ("to cleave") and the noun dail ("axe-blade"). The -ir suffix creates an "agent noun" (such as adding 'r' to 'bite' in English produces 'biter').[3][4]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lays of Beleriand, "I. The Lay of the Children of Húrin: II. Beleg", vv. 1080-1083, 1187-1192
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lays of Beleriand, "I. The Lay of the Children of Húrin", Commentary on Part II 'Beleg', p. 53
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Alphabet of Rúmil & Early Noldorin Fragments", in Parma Eldalamberon XIII (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden) p. 141
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Return to Bag-End, The Second Phase, "The Death of Smaug", note 6, p. 564
Weapons in Tolkien's legendarium
 Arrows:  Black Arrow · Dailir · Red Arrow
Axes:  Dramborleg · Durin's Axe
Bows:  Belthronding · Bow of Bregor · Bow of the Galadhrim
Knives:  Angrist · Barrow-blades · Morgul-knife · Sting
Maces:  Grond
Spears:  Aeglos
Swords:  Anglachel/Gurthang · Anguirel · Aranrúth · Dagmor · Glamdring · Glend · Gúthwinë · Herugrim · Narsil/Andúril ·  Orcrist · Ringil · Sword of Manwë