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The term '''Gnomes''' was briefly used in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]]'s early work ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' to descrive the race of [[Elves]] that would become the '''[[Noldor]]'''. He dropped the term in his published works, since he found the Gnomes of folklore to be so unlike his [[High Elves]] as to confuse his readers. "Gnomes" at one time also referred to the [[Valar]].
{{Disputedcanon}}
{{sources}}
{{disambig-two|an early concept of elves|race of elves the Gnomes became|[[Noldor]]}}
{{race
|image=
|name=Noldoli
|dominions=[[Kôr]], [[Nargothrond]], [[Dorthonion]], [[Gondolin]], [[Tol Eressea]]
|languages=[[Kornoldorin]], [[Noldorin]]
|height=Tall
|length=
|skincolor=White
|haircolor=Dark
|feathers=
|distinctions=Great skill with metal and gems, deep knowledge
|lifespan=Immortal
|members=[[Finwë]], [[Fëanor]], [[Finrod#Other Versions of the Legendarium|Finrod]], [[Inglor]], [[Beren#Development|Beren]], [[Turgon]]
}}
The term '''Gnomes''' or '''Noldoli''' was briefly used in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s early work ''[[The Book of Lost Tales (disambiguation)|The Book of Lost Tales]]'' to describe the race of [[Elves]] that would become the '''[[Noldor]]'''. In those works he borrowed several folkloric names to describe his original creations, like [[Fae]], [[Elves]], [[Dwarves]], [[Ogres]] and [[Orcs#Orcs and Goblins|Goblins]].
 
The names of the Noldoli are in the [[Goldogrin]] (or Gnomish) language.
 
==Etymology==
In a letter dating from [[1973]], Tolkien stated that the word ''gnome'' derives from  [[Wikipedia:Paracelsus|Paracelsus]],<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Elena Jeronimides]]" (letter)</ref> whom is known to have used Modern Latin ''gnomus'' in a 16th century treatise.<ref>{{webcite|author=Douglas Harper|articleurl=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=gnome&allowed_in_frame=0|articlename=gnome|dated=|website=[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php Online Etymology Dictionary]|accessed=19 June 2012}}</ref>
 
The word likely comes from ''genomos'' "earth-dweller". It has a similarity with Greek ''γνώσις'' gnosis "knowledge" which is why Tolkien used it for the wise clan of his Elves ([[Quenya]] ''[[Noldor|Ñoldo]]'' "the Wise").{{fact}}
 
Cf. also the [[Mannish]] word ''[[nóm]]'' meaning "wisdom".
 
==Inspiration==
A [[Wikipedia:Gnome|Gnome]] is a dwarf-like creature of European folklore, often associated with [[Dwarves]] and [[Orcs|Goblins]]. Traditional Gnomes however were unlike his depiction of his [[High Elves]], they were imagined as deformed, underground and by the 19th century were depicted dwarf-like.
 
For that reason Tolkien dropped the term since that would confuse the readers. However, other folkloric names like "Elves", "Dwarves" and "Goblins" would persist in Tolkien's writing ever since, although he would be unsure about them (he did replace "Goblin" with "[[Orcs]]" after the publication of ''[[The Hobbit]]").
 
In the first Portuguese translation of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', the title of the book is translated as ''[[Wiktionary:gnomo#Portuguese|gnomo]]'', the Portuguese word for gnome. See: ''[[O Gnomo]]''.
 
==Other versions==
At one time, "Gnomes" also referred to the [[Valar]].
 
==External links==
*{{WP|Gnome}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Elves]]

Revision as of 19:30, 16 May 2015

Template:Disputedcanon

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
This article is about an early concept of elves. For the race of elves the Gnomes became, see Noldor.
Noldoli
Race
General Information
MembersFinwë, Fëanor, Finrod, Inglor, Beren, Turgon
Physical Description
LifespanImmortal
DistinctionsGreat skill with metal and gems, deep knowledge
Average heightTall
GalleryImages of Noldoli

The term Gnomes or Noldoli was briefly used in J.R.R. Tolkien's early work The Book of Lost Tales to describe the race of Elves that would become the Noldor. In those works he borrowed several folkloric names to describe his original creations, like Fae, Elves, Dwarves, Ogres and Goblins.

The names of the Noldoli are in the Goldogrin (or Gnomish) language.

Etymology

In a letter dating from 1973, Tolkien stated that the word gnome derives from Paracelsus,[1] whom is known to have used Modern Latin gnomus in a 16th century treatise.[2]

The word likely comes from genomos "earth-dweller". It has a similarity with Greek γνώσις gnosis "knowledge" which is why Tolkien used it for the wise clan of his Elves (Quenya Ñoldo "the Wise").[source?]

Cf. also the Mannish word nóm meaning "wisdom".

Inspiration

A Gnome is a dwarf-like creature of European folklore, often associated with Dwarves and Goblins. Traditional Gnomes however were unlike his depiction of his High Elves, they were imagined as deformed, underground and by the 19th century were depicted dwarf-like.

For that reason Tolkien dropped the term since that would confuse the readers. However, other folkloric names like "Elves", "Dwarves" and "Goblins" would persist in Tolkien's writing ever since, although he would be unsure about them (he did replace "Goblin" with "Orcs" after the publication of The Hobbit").

In the first Portuguese translation of The Hobbit, the title of the book is translated as gnomo, the Portuguese word for gnome. See: O Gnomo.

Other versions

At one time, "Gnomes" also referred to the Valar.

External links

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Letter to Elena Jeronimides" (letter)
  2. Douglas Harper, "gnome", Online Etymology Dictionary (accessed 19 June 2012)