Q. ahto n. “wright, maker” (Category: Artisan, Craftsman)
A word for “maker, wright” used as a suffix in the first version of Tengwesta Qenderinwa (TQ1) from the 1930s, derived from ᴹ✶(a)k’tō as an abnormal vocalization of the root ᴹ√KAT “make” (PE18/62). The word ahto reappeared in the second version of Tengwesta Qenderinwa (TQ2) from around 1950 as an independent word with the same meaning and derivation (PE18/85). The section in TQ2 containing this word was marked through, but the logic for its derivation remains valid.
Neo-Quenya: I would retain ᴺQ. ahto “wright, maker” for purposes of Neo-Quenya, but would use it for lesser or subordinate craftsmen than a tamo, which I would use to refer to the primary (or only) builder on a project. In other words, I think tamo implies a greater degree of mastery than ahto [though I have direct evidence of this from Tolkien’s writing].
Reference ✧ PE18/85 ✧ “wright”
Derivations
Phonetic Developments
| ✶ak’tō > ahto | [aktō] > [axtō] > [axto] | ✧ PE18/85 |