orta-

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orta- is a Quenya verb meaning "rise, raise, lift up".[1][2][3] The form of the past tense is ortane ("lifted up, raised")[4][1] when transitive or causative, and oronte ("rose")[1] when intransitive.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

In "Words, Phrases and Passages", the word derives from root OR, ORO, RŌ ("rise, mount").[1]

See also[edit | edit source]

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

In Latin the verb for "rise up" is orior, and orta is a feminine form meaning "she who is raised". It is unknown if Tolkien was inspired by these similarities.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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), p. 63-4
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", p. 379
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 347, (dated 17 December 1972), p. 426
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Notes and Translations", in The Road Goes Ever On (J.R.R. Tolkien, Donald Swann), p. 67