gûl
From Tolkien Gateway
gûl is a word used in both Sindarin and the Black Speech (derived from the former).[1][2]
Etymology
Sindarin
In Sindarin, gûl originally referred to "secret knowledge, arts"[4] or "the deeper knowledge of the 'wise' or skilled persons".[2] However, the word came to be associated with Morgoth's black arts (as in the compound morgul).[4] It is therefore also found glossed as "evil or perverted knowledge, necromancy, sorcery".[1]
Black Speech
In the Black Speech, gûl (or gūl) is glossed as "(phantom, shadow of dark magic, necromancer), slave, servant?", "[evil] spirit". In The Lord of the Rings, gûl is translated as "wraiths" (as in Nazgûl, the Ringwraiths).[2]
Compounds
Cognates
Other versions of the legendarium
In the Etymologies appears the Noldorin form gûl ("magic").[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Four. Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth: Glossary", p. 350
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), pp. 11, 79
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", p. 377 (root ÑGOL-)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: C. The Clan-names, with notes on other names for divisions of the Eldar", p. 383