Eldamo : Quenya : Elda

Q. Elda n. “Elf, (lit.) one of the Star-folk” (Category: Elf, Fairy)

Q. Elda, n. “Elf, (lit.) one of the Star-folk” (Category: Elf, Fairy)

The most common Quenya word for “Elf”. Its literal meaning is “one of the Star-folk” (WJ/374), a name given to them by Oromë (S/49) and derived from the same primitive root √EL as Q. elen “star”. Strictly speaking, this term excludes the Avari who chose not to journey to Valinor, so that the proper term for all of Elvenkind is Q. Quendë “one of the Elven race”. The Elves of the West rarely encountered the Avari, however, so that term Elda was ordinarily broad enough to describe all Elves.

Conceptual Development: This word dates back to the earliest stages of Tolkien’s languages. At its first appearance, ᴱQ. Elda was glossed “a beach-fay” (QL/35), but was soon extended to describe all Elves (LT1/113). In Tolkien’s earliest writings the word was not given a clear etymology. In the Lhammas “Account of Tongues” from the 1930s (LR/168-180), Tolkien gave ᴹQ. Elda the sense of “one who departed” (LR/169), as opposed to the ᴹQ. Lembi “Lingerers” who remained behind (precursors of the Avari). With this sense, Elda was derived from ᴹ√LED “go, fare, travel” (Ety/LED).

Tolkien soon revised the etymology of Elda so that it was derived instead from ᴹ√ELED “star-folk” (Ety/ELED). In some later writings, he considered both etymologies of this word to be valid, so that Elda was blending of both “star-folk” (from √EL) and Q. Eldo “marcher” (from √LED or √DEL¹), as discussed in the Quendi and Eldar essay from 1959-60 and elsewhere (WJ/362-3, PE17/139). However, the sense “star-folk” is probably better known.

In some notes from 1957, Tolkien considered deriving this word from a variant root √DEL² “fair” so that its meaning would be “the fair” (PE17/151), but this seems to have been a transient idea.

References ✧ Let/198, 281; LotR/1127, 1137; LotRI/Eldar; LRI/Edhil; MRI/Eldar; NM/239; PE17/45, 56-57, 114, 135, 139, 141, 151-152, 189; PE21/73, 77; PE22/155; PM/29, 346, 395, 403; PMI/Eldar; RC/217, 780; S/49; SA/êl; SI/Eldar, High Elves; TII/Eldar; UTI/Eldanna, Eldar; VT49/8; WJ/362, 364, 368-369, 373-375, 407; WJI/Eldar; WRI/Eldar

Glosses

“Elf” ✧ Let/281; PE17/45; PE17/56; RC/780
“Elven” ✧ PM/346
“one of the Star-folk, Elves in general” ✧ WJ/374

Variations

Elda ✧ Let/281; MRI/Eldar; PE17/45; PE17/56; PE17/57; PE17/139; PE17/139; PE17/141; PE17/141; PE17/151; PE17/152; PE17/152; PE17/189; PM/346; PMI/Eldar; RC/780; SA/êl; WJ/362; WJ/369; WJ/374; WJ/375; WJI/Eldar

Elda is associated with √LED “go, proceed” ✧ PE17/139
Elda is associated with √LED “go, proceed” ✧ PE17/139
Quendë “Elf, (lit.) One That Speaks”
S. ell “an Elf” is adapted after the return of the Noldor from Elda “Elf” ✧ Let/281
S. †ell is borrowed from Quenya elda ✧ PE17/152

Inflections

Eldō	genitive	“Elf’s”	✧ PE21/77
Eldaron	genitive plural	“of the Eldar”	✧ NM/239; PM/395; PM/403; WJ/368; WJ/369
Eldaron	genitive plural		✧ PE21/77
Eldali	partitive-plural	“some Elves, a lot of Elves”	✧ PE17/135
Eldali	partitive-plural	“Elves, some Elves”	✧ PE21/73; VT49/8
eldali	partitive-plural	“elves”	✧ PE22/155
Eldar	past		✧ PE21/77
Elda(r)	plural		✧ UTI/Eldanna
Eldar	plural	“High Elves”	✧ Let/198; LotRI/Eldar; RC/217; SI/High Elves
Eldar	plural	“West-elves”	✧ LotR/1127
Eldar	plural	“Elves”	✧ LotR/1137; PE17/139; PE21/77; UTI/Eldar; VT49/8
Eldar	plural		✧ LRI/Edhil; MRI/Eldar; PE17/114; PM/29; PMI/Eldar; RC/780; SA/êl; TII/Eldar; WJ/362; WJ/373; WJ/374; WJI/Eldar; WRI/Eldar
Eldar	plural	“Elves as a kind of people or all the Elves concerned”	✧ PE17/135
Eldar	plural	“Elves, the Elves, all Elves”	✧ PE21/73
Eldar	plural	“People of the Stars”	✧ S/49; S/49; SI/Eldar
Eldar	plural	“Elves, the Elves, All Elves”	✧ VT49/8
Eldava	possessive	“Elf’s”	✧ WJ/407
Eldaiva	possessive plural	“of the Eldar”	✧ WJ/369
Eldaiva	possessive plural	“Elves’”	✧ WJ/407
Eldaive	possessive plural; adj-agreement	“of the Eldar”	✧ WJ/369
-el	suffix		✧ WJ/364
-eldi	suffix plural		✧ WJ/364

Element In

ᴺQ. ^eldafindë “maidenhair fern, (lit.) elf tress”
Q. Amaneldi “*Elves of Aman”
Q. Eldacar “Elfhelm”
Q. Eldalië “People of the Elves, Elven-folk” ✧ WJ/374
Q. Eldalondë “Haven of the Eldar”
Q. Eldamar “Elvenhome”
Q. Eldameldor “Elf-friends, Elf-lovers”
Q. Eldandil “Elf-friend”
Q. Eldanna “*Elf-wards” ✧ UTI/Eldanna
Q. Eldanor “Elvenland”
Q. Eldanyárë “History of the Elves”
Q. Eldarin “of the Eldar; Elvish (language)”
Q. Eldarion “*Son of the Eldar”
Q. Elendil “Elf-friend, Star-lover”
Q. Hecel “Elf who stayed in Beleriand”
Q. Oärel “Elf who left Middle-earth for Aman”
Q. Pereldar “Half-elven”
Q. Sindel “Grey-elf”
Q. Tareldar “High-elves” ✧ SI/Eldar
Q. vanimelda “beautiful and beloved, elven-fair” ✧ PE17/56; PE17/57
Q. ar súlë Manwëo etsurinyë ar Eldaron indor turyaner “*and the spirit of Manwe went out and the hearts of the Eldar were comforted / or obeyed” ✧ NM/239
Q. Elda-lambë “Language of the Eldar” ✧ WJ/369
Q. Eldalótë “Elven-flower” ✧ PM/346
Q. eldar ataformaiti “the Elves were ambidexters” ✧ VT49/8
Q. Eldar oronter “the Elves arose” ✧ PE21/77
Q. Eldar Sindar “Grey Elves” ✧ PE21/77
Q. Eldar sindaron “Grey Elves’” ✧ PE21/77
Q. Eldavehtë “a habitation, haunt or place occupied by Eldar” ✧ PE17/189
Q. i arani Eldaive “The kings of the Eldar” ✧ WJ/369
Q. i arani Eldaron “The kings of the Eldar” ✧ WJ/369
Q. lambe Eldaiva “the language of the Eldar” ✧ WJ/369
Q. lambe Eldaron “the language of the Eldar” ✧ WJ/368
Q. mana i coimas Eldaron? “What is the ‘coimas’ of the Eldar?” ✧ PM/395
Q. mana i·coimas in·Eldaron? “What is the ‘coimas’ of the Eldar?” ✧ PM/403
Q. Sinda Eldō “a Grey Elf’s” ✧ PE21/77
Q. Sindar Eldar “Grey Elves” ✧ PE21/77
Q. Sindar Eldaron “Grey Elves’” ✧ PE21/77
Q. Sindar i Eldar Malariando “Grey are the Elves of Beleriand” ✧ PE21/77
Q. tas cennen nótimë eldali “I saw a few elves there” ✧ PE22/155

Cognates

S. Edhel “Elf” ✧ LRI/Edhil (Edhil); PE17/45; PE17/151; PE17/152 (eðel); RC/780; SA/êl; SA/êl (Edhil)
S. †Eledh “Elf” ✧ Let/281 (†eledh); PE17/141 (eleð); SA/êl
S. †Ell “Elf” ✧ Let/281; WJ/363
S. Ellon “Elf-man” ✧ PE17/151
T. Ello “Elf” ✧ WJ/373 (Elloi); WJ/375
T. Ella “Elf” ✧ WJ/362; WJI/Eldar

Derivations

< ✶edelō “one who goes, traveller, migrant, marcher” ✧ PE17/152 (edelā)
- < eledā < edelā ✧ PE17/152
- < √DEL¹ “walk, go, proceed, travel” ✧ WJ/360 (DELE); WJ/363
< ✶edelā “the fair” ✧ PE17/139; PE17/151
- < √DEL² “*fair” ✧ PE17/151
< ✶eledā “star-folk, of the stars” ✧ Let/281; PE17/141; SA/êl (elda); WJ/360 (eldā); WJ/364 (elda); WJ/364 (eldī)
- < -eld < elda ✧ WJ/364
- < √EL “lo, behold; star” ✧ Let/281
< ✶elenā “connected with or concerning the stars” ✧ PE17/139; PE17/152
- < ✶elen “star” ✧ PE17/139; PE17/139
  - < √EL “lo, behold; star” ✧ Let/281; PE17/67; VT42/11; WJ/360 (ELE)

Derivatives

> S. †Ell “Elf” ✧ PE17/141
- ⇒ S. Aranel
- ⇒ S. Aredhel² “Noble Elf” ✧ PE17/141
- ⇒ S. Dúnedhel “West-Elf” ✧ PE17/141
- ⇒ S. Elladan “Elf-man” ✧ Let/281
- > S. Elleth “Elf-maid” ✧ PE17/141; PE17/141; PE17/152; WJ/363
  - ⇒ S. Haudh-en-Ellas ✧ PE17/97
  - ⇒ S. Haudh-en-Elleth “Mound of the Elf-maid” ✧ PE17/141; S/216; UTI/Haudh-en-Elleth
- > S. Ellon “Elf-man” ✧ PE17/141; PE17/141; WJ/363
- ⇒ S. Elrohir “Elf-knight” ✧ Let/281
- ⇒ S. Elrond “Star-dome” ✧ Let/281
  - ⇒ S. Elrenniel “Arwen; *(lit.) Elrond-daughter”
  - ⇒ S. Elrondhel
- ⇒ S. Elros “Star-foam” ✧ Let/281
- ⇒ S. Elvellyn “Elf-friends, Elf-lovers” ✧ WJ/412
- ⇒ S. †Glinnel “*Singer-elf”
- ⇒ S. Laegel
- ⇒ S. Lindel “Nando”
- ⇒ S. Miniel “Vanyar”

Phonetic Developments

✶eledā > Elda	[eledā] > [eldā] > [elda]	✧ Let/281
✶elenā > Elda	[elenā] > [elnā] > [eldā] > [elda]	✧ PE17/139
✶edelā > Elda	[edelā] > [edlā] > [eldā] > [elda]	✧ PE17/139
✶eledā > elda	[eledā] > [eldā] > [elda]	✧ PE17/141
✶edelā > elda	[edelā] > [edlā] > [eldā] > [elda]	✧ PE17/151
✶elenā > elda	[elenā] > [elnā] > [eldā] > [elda]	✧ PE17/152
✶edelā > eledā > elda	[edelā] ? [eledā] > [eldā] > [elda]	✧ PE17/152
✶elda > Elda	[elda]	✧ SA/êl
✶eldā > Elda	[eldā] > [elda]	✧ WJ/362

ᴹQ. Elda n. “Elf” (Category: Elf, Fairy)

References ✧ Ety/ELED; EtyAC/EDE; LR/72, 169, 181, 197, 212, 218; LRI/Eldar; PE18/24; PE21/57; PE22/124-125; SD/401; SDI2/Eldar, Eledâi, Nimrî; SMI/Eldar; VT27/7

Glosses

“firstborn” ✧ EtyAC/EDE (eleda)
“Star-folk, Elf” ✧ Ety/ELED
“‘departed’ Elf” ✧ Ety/ELED (Elda)

Variations

Elda ✧ Ety/ELED; Ety/ELED (Elda)
eleda ✧ EtyAC/EDE

Changes

Elda “‘departed’ Elf” >> Elda “Star-folk, Elf” ✧ Ety/ELED
Eldar “those that departed” >> Eldar “Star-folk” ✧ LR/169
Eldar “Departing” >> Eldar “Star-folk” ✧ LR/218
Eldar “Elves” >> Eldar “(the) elves” ✧ PE21/57
Eldali “the Elves, the whole Elda-race” >> Eldali “some (many) Elves, (some[?]) elves” ✧ PE21/57

Inflections

Eldain	dative plural	“for Elves”	✧ LR/72
Eldain	dative plural		✧ LRI/Eldar
eldain	dative plural	“for Elves”	✧ LR/72; LR/72
Eldali	partitive-plural	“the Elves, the whole Elda-race”	✧ PE21/57
Eldali	partitive-plural	“some (many) Elves, (some[?]) elves”	✧ PE21/57
Eldalin	partitive-plural	“(some) Elves”	✧ PE22/124
Eldar	plural	“those that departed”	✧ LR/169
Eldar	plural	“Star-folk”	✧ LR/169; LR/212; LR/218
Eldar	plural	“those that departed”	✧ LR/181
Eldar	plural	“The Departing”	✧ LR/197
Eldar	plural	“Departing”	✧ LR/218
Eldar	plural		✧ LRI/Eldar; PE18/24; SDI2/Eldar; SDI2/Eledâi; SDI2/Nimrî; SMI/Eldar
Eldar	plural	“Elves”	✧ PE21/57
Eldar	plural	“(the) elves”	✧ PE21/57
Eldar	plural	“Elves”	✧ PE22/124; PE22/125; SD/401; VT27/7

Element In

ᴹQ. Eldahar
ᴹQ. Eldakan “Elf-bold”
ᴹQ. Eldakar “Elfhelm”
ᴹQ. Eldamar “Elvenhome” ✧ Ety/ELED
ᴹQ. Eldamir “Elfstone”
ᴹQ. Eldanor “Elfland”
ᴹQ. Eldanyáre “History of the Elves”
ᴹQ. Eldavel “Elfwold”
ᴹQ. Esselda “*First-elf”
ᴹQ. Laiqeldar “Green-elves”
ᴹQ. Moreldar “Dark-elves”
ᴹQ. Naneldar “Danian Elves”
ᴹQ. Pereldar “Half-eldar”
ᴹQ. Veaneldar “Sea-elves”
ᴹQ. andalúme Eldar oianer Valinoresse, masse oiar sí “for a long while the Elves lived in Valinor, where are they/do they live now?” ✧ PE22/125
ᴹQ. Eldalie “People of the Elves, Elf-folk” ✧ Ety/ELED
ᴹQ. Eldar alphírimar “Elves are Immortals” ✧ PE22/124
ᴹQ. Eldar Alphírimor “Elves are Immortals” ✧ PE22/124
ᴹQ. Eldar ando kakainen loralyar Koivienenissen “the Elves were long lying asleep at Koivienéni” ✧ VT27/7
ᴹQ. Eldarin “of the Elves, Elvish” ✧ Ety/ELED
ᴹQ. en kárielto eldain Isil, hildin Úr-anar; toi írimar “for Elves they made the Moon, but for Men the red Sun; which are beautiful” ✧ LR/72; LR/72
ᴹQ. Ilu Ilúvatar en káre eldain a fírimoin “the Father made the World for Elves and Mortals” ✧ LR/72
ᴹQ. intin Eldalin “they (are or were) (some) Elves” ✧ PE22/124

Cognates

Ad. Nimir “Elf, (lit.) Shining One” ✧ SDI2/Nimrî (Nimrî)
Dan. Edel “Elf” ✧ Ety/ELED (Elda); Ety/ELED
Ilk. Eld “Star-folk, Elf” ✧ Ety/ELED (Eld)
Ilk. Egla “Star-folk, Elf” ✧ Ety/ELED
N. Eledh “Star-folk, Elf” ✧ Ety/ELED (eledh); Ety/ELED

Derivations

< ᴹ√ELED “Star-Folk, Elves” ✧ Ety/ELED (ÉLED)
< #ᴹ✶eledā “Star-folk, Elf” ✧ SD/401 (Eledāi); SDI2/Eledâi (Eledâi)
- < ᴹ√ELED “Star-Folk, Elves”
< ᴹ✶edēlā “firstborn, eldest” ✧ EtyAC/EDE (edela)
- < ᴹ√EDE(L) “precede, come forward, hence” ✧ EtyAC/EDE (EDEL); EtyAC/EDE (EDEL)
< ᴹ√LED “go, fare, travel” ✧ Ety/ELED (ELED)

Phonetic Developments

ᴹ√ELED > Elda	[eleda] > [elda]	✧ Ety/ELED
ᴹ√ÉLED > Elda	[eleda] > [elda]	✧ Ety/ELED
ᴹ✶edela > eleda	[edela] ? [eleda]	✧ EtyAC/EDE

ᴱQ. Elda n. “Elf; beach-fay” (Category: Elf, Fairy)

References ✧ GG/13; GL/32; LBI/Eldar; LT1/114, 235; LT1A/Eldamar, Eldar; LT1I/Eldar; LT2A/Eglamar; LT2I/Eldar; PE13/99, 155; PE14/9, 47, 50, 79, 83-84, 107; PE15/23, 61-62, 71; QL/35, 43; WJI/Egla

Glosses

“a beach-fay” ✧ LT1A/Eldar; QL/35
“Elf” ✧ PE15/71

Variations

elda ✧ GG/13; GL/32; LT1/235; LT1A/Eldamar; LT1A/Eldar; LT1I/Eldar; LT2A/Eglamar; PE13/155; PE14/107; PE15/62; PE15/71; QL/35; WJI/Egla

elda “a beach-fay” is one of the Solosimpe “Shore Piper” ✧ QL/35

Inflections

eldalluva	ablative adjectival	“from the elves”	✧ PE14/47; PE14/79
eldalillo(r)	ablative plural		✧ PE14/47
†eldalillo(r)	ablative plural		✧ PE14/79
eldallor	ablative plural	“from the elves”	✧ PE14/47; PE14/79
Eldalin	accusative plural	“Elves”	✧ PE14/84
Eldalion	genitive plural	“of ... elves”	✧ PE14/83
eldalion	genitive plural	“elves”	✧ PE14/50
ELDAR	plural	“elves”	✧ PE13/99
Eldar	plural		✧ LBI/Eldar; LT1/114; LT1/235; LT1A/Eldar; LT2I/Eldar; PE15/23; QL/43
Eldar	plural	“Elves”	✧ LT1I/Eldar; PE15/61; PE15/62
Eldar	plural	“Elves or fairies”	✧ PE14/9
elda(li)	plural	“elves”	✧ PE14/50; PE14/83
eldali	plural	“elves”	✧ PE14/83

Element In

ᴱQ. Eldairon “Ælfwine”
ᴱQ. Eldalie “People of the Elves, Elf-folk” ✧ PE15/62
ᴱQ. eldaqet “language of the Eldar” ✧ QL/35
ᴱQ. Eldarissa “Language of the Eldar” ✧ QL/35
ᴱQ. Eldaros “Elfhome”
ᴱQ. Kaukaeldar “False-fairies”
ᴱQ. Koreldar “Elves of Kôr”
ᴱQ. Eldamar “Elfhome, Elfland” ✧ LT1A/Eldamar; PE15/71; QL/35
ᴱQ. eldanyanda “*fairy tale” ✧ QL/35
ᴱQ. Eldarien “Elfinesse” ✧ PE15/61; PE15/71 (eldarinan)
ᴱQ. Eldarin “Elfin” ✧ PE15/71
ᴱQ. Eldar yan Indi “*Elves and Men” ✧ QL/43
ᴱQ. eldasilqe “maidenhair fern, (lit.) elf tress” ✧ QL/35
ᴱQ. i·Eldar tulier “the Eldar have come” ✧ LT1/114
ᴱQ. i·ner eldalluva “the man from the elves” ✧ PE14/47; PE14/79
ᴱQ. (i·)yúyo elda(li) “*two elves” ✧ PE14/50
ᴱQ. i·yúyo elda(li) “*the two elves” ✧ PE14/83
ᴱQ. i·yúyo n·Eldalion “*the two elves” ✧ PE14/84
ᴱQ. keën Eldalin “the ten Elves (accusative pl.)” ✧ PE14/84
ᴱQ. minqe elda(li) “eleven elves” ✧ PE14/83
ᴱQ. minqe laiqe eldali “eleven green elves” ✧ PE14/83
ᴱQ. yúyo n·Eldalion “two (of the) elves” ✧ PE14/83
ᴱQ. yúyo n·eldalion “two of the elves” ✧ PE14/50

Cognates

ᴱN. Uidhel “elf, fairy” ✧ PE13/155; PE15/61 (Idhil); PE15/62 (Īðel)
ᴱT. Illa ✧ PE13/155
G. Egla “fairy, (lit.) being from outside” ✧ GG/13; GL/32; LT1A/Eldamar; LT1A/Eldar; LT2A/Eglamar; PE14/9 (Eglath); PE15/23; WJI/Egla

Derivations

< ᴱ✶Eid(e)lā ✧ PE13/155; PE15/62 (ĕlðā)