Nan. caras n. “a moated fort”
References ✧ NM/351; UT/257
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S. caras n. “city, fort or dwelling surrounded by bulwarks, circular earthwall with dike” (Category: Town, City)
An element in the name Caras Galadhon “City of the Trees” (LotR/353, 355), adapted from Silvan Elvish: Caras Galadon (PE17/60). Tolkien said the proper meaning of this word was “a built fort or dwelling surrounded by bulwarks” (PE17/84) or a “circular earthwall with dike” (RC/311), derived from the root √CAR “make, build” (PE17/84). In The Etymologies of the 1930s, N. caras was glossed “a city (built above ground)” under the root ᴹ√KAR “make, do” (Ety/KAR).
Neo-Sindarin: For purposes of Neo-Sindarin, I would use this word principally in the sense “city”, and would assume its meaning “earthwall, bulwark” was archaic.
References ✧ PE17/60, 84; RC/311
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Phonetic Developments
| √CAR > Caras | [karasse] > [karass] > [karas] | ✧ PE17/84 |