√STEL root. “remain firm”
A root from etymological notes for the name S. Ecthelion, where it also served as the basis for words like Q. estel/S. estel “hope” and S. thel- “intend, mean, purpose, resolve, will” (WJ/318-319), possibly also connected to ᴹQ. tel- “intend” from the 1940s with meaning similar to later S. thel- (PE22/99). The root √STEL may have replaced unglossed ᴹ√STELEG from The Etymologies of the 1930s which likewise served as the basis for the name N. Ecthelion, but had derivatives like N. thela “point (of spear)” (Ety/STELEG). All of these were rather torturous attempts by Tolkien to preserve the early Gnomish name G. Ecthelion “Lord of the Fountain” (GL/31), which no longer fit Noldorin or Sindarin phonology, since G. ecthel “fountain” >> N./S. eithel.
Reference ✧ WJ/318 ✧ stel “remain firm”
Derivatives
ᴹ√STELEG root. “*point (of spear)”
References ✧ Ety/EK, STELEG
Derivatives