ᴹ√(M)BAD root. “duress, prison, doom, hell; *judge”
The most notable derivative of this root is Q. Mandos, which in Tolkien’s earlier writings was the name of the Vala, but in later writings technically only the name of his halls. The first iteration of this root was unglossed {ᴱ√MANÐAN >>} ᴱ√Mᵇ(A)NÐ(A)N from the Qenya Lexicon of the 1910s, with a more “normal” Quenya form of MAND; its derivative ᴱQ. Mandos was glossed “hell” at this early stage (QL/58, 60). In a list of roots at the end of the M-section Tolkien gave it as MṆÐṆ and its Gnomish variant band- was glossed “bind”, which was the most likely meaning of the root at this early stage (QL/63).
In The Etymologies of the 1930s the root appeared as ᴹ√BAD along with a strengthened form ᴹ√MBAD glossed “duress, prison, doom, hell” (Ety/BAD, MBAD). Earlier entries for the strengthened root ᴹ√MBAD had glosses “hell” >> “doom” (EtyAC/MBAD). The strengthened root had derivatives like N. bann “duress, prison” and cognate ᴹQ. manda as in ᴹQ. Angamanda “Hell, Iron Prison” (Ety/MBAD). Tolkien said the unstrengthened root ᴹ√BAD was “not in Q” and it had derivatives like primitive verb ᴹ✶bad- “judge”, N. bauð “judgement”, and N. badhron “judge” (Ety/BAD), the Noldorin words having been transferred from ᴹ√MBAD (EtyAC/MBAD).
Thus it seems the unstrengthened root meant ᴹ√BAD “judge” and the strengthened root ᴹ√MBAD meant “duress, prison”. Tolkien’s continued use of names like Q. Mandos “Castle of Custody” and S. Angband “Iron Prison” indicate the ongoing validity of strengthened √MBAD, but there are other later root for “judge” such as *√NAM or √NDAB (PE22/154; VT42/34). These roots served as the basis for the true name of Mandos: Q. Námo or Návo (S/28; PE21/85; PE22/154).
Neo-Eldarin: For purposes of Neo-Eldarin, I think it is best to assume √BAD survived as a Sindarin-only root for “judge”, since the Sindar had no direct encounter with the Vala and would be less likely to use this true name for Mandos.
References ✧ Ety/BAD, GOS, KAL, MANAD, MBAD, MOR; EtyAC/ANGĀ, BAD², MAN, MBAD
Glosses
Variations
Related
Changes
Inflections
| MBAD | strengthened | ✧ Ety/BAD | |
| MBAD | strengthened | “duress, prison, doom, hell” | ✧ Ety/MBAD |
Derivatives