S. Doriath loc. “Land of the Fence”

S. Doriath, loc. “Land of the Fence”

The land ruled by Thingol and Melian, so called because it was protected by the Girdle of Melian (S/97). This name was translated “Land of the Girdle” (S/97) or more literally “Land of the Fence” (WJ/370), and was a combination of dôr “land” and iath “fence” (SA/dôr, iâth).

Conceptual Development: In the earliest Lost Tales, this land was first called G. Dor Athro “Land Beyond” (LT2A/Artanor), revised to G. Doriath (LT2/41), the form it retained thereafter. In The Etymologies from the 1930s, N. Doriath was translated “Land of the Cave”, with the second element being a lenited form of N. gath “cavern” (Ety/GAT(H)). The association of the name with the Girdle of Melian first appeared in Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s (WJ/16).

References ✧ LotRI; LT2I; MRI; PMI; SA/dôr, iâth; SI; UTI; WJ/370; WJI/Doriath, Iathrim

Glosses

Variations

Elements

dôr “land” ✧ SA/dôr; SI/Doriath (Dor); UTI/Doriath (Dor); WJ/370
iath “fence” ✧ SA/iâth (iâth); SI/Doriath (Iâth); UTI/Doriath (iâth); WJ/370 (Iâth); WJI/Iathrim (Iâth)

Cognates


N. Doriath loc. “Land of the Cave”

See S. Doriath for discussion.

References ✧ Ety/GAT(H), NDOR; EtyAC/GAT(H); LR/180; LRI; RSI; SMI/Artanor, Doriath; TII; WRI

Glosses

Variations

Changes

Elements

dôr “land, dwelling-place, region where certain people live” ✧ Ety/NDOR
gath “cavern” ✧ Ety/GAT(H)
ᴹ√GAT(H) “*cave” ✧ Ety/NDOR (GATH)

Element In


ᴱN. Doriath loc.

References ✧ LBI/Artanor, Doriath


G. Doriath loc.

References ✧ LT1/196; LT1I/Artanor, Doriath; LT2/41


G. Dor Athro loc. “Land Beyond”

References ✧ LT2/41; LT2A/Artanor; LT2I/Dor Athro

Glosses

Changes

Cognates