S. Gilthoniel f. “Star-kindler”
A title of Elbereth (LotR/238) translated “Star-kindler” (RGEO/64, Let/278), the equivalent of Q. Tintallë (MR/388). This name is a combination of gil “star”, a derivative of the root √THAN “kindle” and the feminine suffix -iel¹ (PE17/22-3, MR/388).
Conceptual Development: The name N. Gilthoniel appeared in The Etymologies from the 1930s with essentially the same derivation as the one given above, except that the middle element was from the root ᴹ√TAN¹ “make, fashion”, and the gloss was “Star-maker” (Ety/GIL, TAN). When this name first appeared in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, it was Gilthonieth, a form that also appeared in The Etymologies, but it was soon revised to Gilthoniel (RS/68). In some notes from the 1950s, Tolkien considered the possibility that the final element thoniel was a special past-tense agental formation meaning “kindler (in the past)” (PE17/82).
References ✧ LB/354; Let/278; LotR/238, 729; LotRI/Elbereth, Gilthoniel; MR/388; MRI; PE17/22-23, 82; RGEO/63-65
Glosses
Variations
Elements
| gil | “star; (bright) spark, silver glint, twinkle of light” | ✧ PE17/22; RGEO/65 | |
| √THAN | “kindle, set light to, fire, light” | ✧ MR/388 (thăn/thān); PE17/23 (THĂN/THĀN) | |
| -iel¹ | “daughter; feminine suffix” | ✧ PE17/23 | |
| √(Ñ)GIL | “shine (white); silver glint; white or silver light” | strengthened | ✧ MR/388 (ngil) |
| ✶-iel | “feminine suffix” | ✧ MR/388 | |
| ✶ñgillē | “silver glint” | ✧ PE17/23 (g̃illĭ/g̃illē) | |
| †thoniel | “kindler (in the past)” | ✧ PE17/82 (†thoniel) | |
Element In
Cognates
N. Gilthoniel f. “Star-maker, Lady of the Stars”
References ✧ Ety/GIL, TAN; RS/68, 364, 394; RSI; SDI1/Gilthoniel; TII; WRI
Glosses
Variations
Changes
Elements
| geil | “star” | ✧ Ety/GIL (gíl) |
| ᴹ√TAN¹ | “make, fashion” | ✧ Ety/TAN; Ety/TAN |
| -iel¹ | “daughter; feminine suffix” |
Element In
Cognates