Cára

From Tolkien Gateway
Revision as of 19:46, 15 December 2010 by Sage (talk | contribs) (→‎Etymology)

cára also cas[1] (pl. cari[2]) means "head" in Quenya.

See also

Etymology

The word derives from earlier cáza[3] < PQ *kāsa, root KAS[4].

The short form retained the s being final, but again, it evolved into r when inflected.

Other versions

The Etymologies show a reverted case: the nominative is r and the inflected form casi. It represents a very early phonological scenario of the language, as seen in the Qenya Lexicon. Since the Etymologies have the newer, reversed scenario, the case of cár appears an anomaly.

Inspiration

Κάρα means "head" in Ancient Greek.

References

  1. Vinyar Tengwar, Number 49, June 2007 p. 17
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Early Qenya and The Valmaric Script", in Parma Eldalamberon XIV (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden) p.68
  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) p.188
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies"