-il

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-il is a little-attested ending in the Sindarin language,^{[note 1]} used sometimes to denote feminine gender. Its masculine counterpart is -on.

Its presence causes i-affection to the vowels of the stem (cf. brannon and brennil).

Etymology

Possibly it derives from a Common Eldarin ending *-illê. This is supported by several Quenya words which end in -illë with Sindarin cognates in -il; most notably compare the Quenya amille "mother" and the Sindarin emil.

Examples

emil "mother"^[1]
odhril "parent (referring to mother)"
melethril "lover"^[2]
brennil "lady"^[2]
hiril "lady"^[2]
Thuringwethil "secret-shadow woman"^[3]

In at least one case, -il is said to be a diminutive ending; compare how the masculine ending -on can sometimes refer to "great" things.

niphredil "little pallor" (niphred)^[2]
ernil "prince" (perhaps understood as *"little noble"; arn)

Notes

↑ Some of the examples refer to Noldorin as well

References

↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Addenda and Corrigenda to the Etymologies — Part One" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter and Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 45, November 2003 p.5
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, The Etymologies
↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"

[1] Some of the examples refer to Noldorin as well

[2] J.R.R. Tolkien, "Addenda and Corrigenda to the Etymologies — Part One" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter and Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 45, November 2003 p.5

[E-3] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, The Etymologies

[4] J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"

[note 1]

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[2]

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