S. Orthanc loc. “Mount Fang, Forked Height”
Saruman’s fortress, translated “Mount Fang” (LotR/555) or “Forked Height” (UT/400). This name appears to be a combination of a shorter form of orod “mountain” with thanc “cleft, split” (RC/625).
Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, this name was already N. Orthanc (TI/132), but its translation was revised “Stony Heart” >> “Stone Fang” >> “Mount Fang” (WR/35).
References ✧ LotR/555; LotRI/Mount Fang, Orthanc; PMI; RSI; SI; UT/400; UTI
Glosses
Elements
| orod? | “mountain” | |
| #thanc | “forked” | ✧ UT/400 (#thanc) |