S. [N.] iaun², n. “holy place, fane, sanctuary”

See N. iaun for discussion.

N. iaun n. “holy place, fane, sanctuary”

A noun for “holy place, fane, sanctuary” appearing in the Etymologies of the 1930s as a derivative of the root ᴹ√(A)YAN (Ety/YAN). Its Quenya cognate ᴹQ. yána suggests a primitive form yānā [jānā], with the medial primitive long vowel [ā] developing into the diphthong [au] as usual.

Conceptual Development: This word has no clear precursors in Tolkien’s earlier writings, but in the Gnomish Lexicon from the 1910s, the word G. gorthin was glossed “fane, temple” and G. alc(hor) was glossed “shrine, fane, temple” (GL/18, 42).

The word does not appear in Tolkien’s later writings, but it is consistent with the phonetic rules of Sindarin and a later version of its root √AYA(N) does appear (PE17/145).

Reference ✧ Ety/YAN ✧ “holy place, fane, sanctuary”

Cognates

Derivations

Phonetic Developments

ᴹ√YAN > iaun [jānā] > [jāna] > [jǭna] > [jouna] > [jauna] > [jaun] ✧ Ety/YAN.011

ᴱN. alcor n. “temple”

Reference ✧ PE13/136 ✧ “temple”


G. alc(hor) n. “shrine, fane, temple”

References ✧ GL/18; PE13/109

Glosses

Variations

Changes

Inflections

alchair plural ✧ PE13/109.2604
eilch plural ✧ PE13/109.2204
elcin plural ✧ PE13/109.2205

Cognates

Derivations


G. gorthin n. “fane, temple”

References ✧ GL/42

Glosses

Variations

Changes

Elements

gort “idol” ✧ GL/41.9101
ind “house, abode” ✧ GL/42.0103

Cognates