ara
From Tolkien Gateway
Ar- or ara- is a prefix in Quenya and Sindarin used to confer nobility or royalty.[1] It was a prefixed form of the stem Quenya/Sindarin aran, referring to a king.[2]
The Númenoreans also had borrowed this prefix in their native Adûnaic language, used with the names of the Kings of Númenor (like Ar-Pharazôn); however when they still took Quenya names, they used the prefix Tar- (like Tar-Elendil).
When the royal line of Arnor failed in Rhudaur and Cardolan, the King of Arthedain Argeleb I took a name with this prefix, claiming sovereignty in all former Arnor, as did his descendants.[3]
Examples
- Aracáno = "High Chieftain"
- Aradan = "Noble Man"
- Arafinwë = "Noble Finwë"
- Araglas = "Royal Joy"
- Aragorn = "Revered King"
- Arathorn = "Eagle King"
- Arnor = "Land of the King"
- Arwen = "Noble Maiden"
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", ar(a)-
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "The names of Finwë's descendants", p. 344
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur", note 4
