S. Carchost loc. “Fang Fort”
One of the Towers of the Teeth along with its companion Narchost (LotR/900), translated “Fang Fort” in Tolkien’s “Unfinished Index” of The Lord of the Rings (RC/601). This name is a combination of carch “fang” and ost “fort(ress)” (SA/carak).
Conceptual Development: When it was first named specifically in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, this fort was already called N. Carchost (SD/23), though the earlier names N. Gorgos “Dire-castle” (TI/344) and N. Kirith Naglath “Cleft of the Teeth” (WR/137) may have been precursors to this name.
References ✧ LotRI/Carchost, Towers of the Teeth; RC/601; SA/carak
Glosses
Related
Elements
| carch | “fang” | ✧ SA/carak |
| ost | “fort, fortress, stronghold, citadel; fortified town; enclosure” | ✧ SA/carak |
N. Carchost loc.
References ✧ SD/23; SDI1/Carchost
Elements
| carch | “tooth, fang” |
| ost | “city, town (with wall round)” |
N. Gorgos loc. “Dire-castle”
Name of a tower near Cirith Ungol glossed “Dire-castle” in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, along with its companion Nargos (TI/344). It seems to be a combination of some form of goroth “horror” and ost “(walled) city”. It might be a precursor to later Carchost, one of the towers at the entrance to the Gates of Mordor in the published version of The Lord of the Rings.
References ✧ SDI1/Gorgos; TI/344; TII; WRI
Glosses
Related
Elements
| goroth | “horror” |
| ost | “city, town (with wall round)” |