-il
From Tolkien Gateway
-il is a little-attested ending in the Sindarin language,[note 1] used sometimes to denote feminine gender. Its masculine counterpart is -on.
Its presence causes i-affection to the vowels of the stem (cf. brannon and brennil).
Etymology
Possibly it derives from a Common Eldarin ending *-illê. This is supported by several Quenya words which end in -illë with Sindarin cognates in -il; most notably compare the Quenya amille "mother" and the Sindarin emil.
Examples
- emil "mother"[1]
- odhril "parent (referring to mother)"
- melethril "lover"[2]
- brennil "lady"[2]
- hiril "lady"[2]
- Thuringwethil "secret-shadow woman"[3]
In at least one case, -il is said to be a diminutive ending; compare how the masculine ending -on can sometimes refer to "great" things.
Notes
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Addenda and Corrigenda to the Etymologies — Part One" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter and Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 45, November 2003 p.5
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, The Etymologies
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"