Q. Nienna f. “Lady of Pity and Mourning”
One of the most powerful of the Valier, sister of Mandos and Lórien, whose name is glossed “Lady of Pity and Mourning” (S/28). The exact meaning of her name is unclear, but its initial element is probably be related to [ᴹQ.] nie “tear” (Ety/NEI).
Conceptual Development: In the earliest Lost Tales, her true name is ᴱQ. Fui and the name ᴱQ. Nienna is given as a sobriquet (LT1/66). Starting with Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s, her name is given only as ᴹQ. Nienna (SM/79, LR/206). This name also appears in The Etymologies as a derivative of the root ᴹ√NEY (NEI̯) “tear” (Ety/NEI).
References ✧ MRI/Niënna; S/28; SI; UTI
Glosses
Elements
| ᴹQ. nie | “tear” |
| ? |
ᴹQ. Nienna f.
A powerful female Vala, at this stage the sister of Manwe and Melko (LR/206).
See Q. Nienna for further discussion.
References ✧ Ety/NEI; LRI; SMI
Elements
| nie | “tear” | ✧ Ety/NEI |
ᴱQ. Nienna f.
Sobriquet for the female Vala ᴱQ. Fui, at this stage the wife of Mandos (LT1/66). Her name appeared as Nyenna in the Qenya Lexicon, a derivative of either ᴱ√NYE(NE) “bleat” or ᴱ√NYEHE “weep” (QL/68).
See Q. Nienna for further discussion.
References ✧ GL/18, 60; LT1A/Nienna; LT1I/Fui; PE14/14; QL/68
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