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”
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
G. Dor Athro loc. “Land Beyond”
References ✧ LT2/41; LT2A/Artanor; LT2I/Dor Athro
Glosses
Changes
Cognates