Incánus
Incánus was Gandalf's name "in the south" (probably meaning no further south than Gondor or the Near Harad[1]), gained during his long travels in Middle-earth in the mid-Third Age.[2]
Etymology
Although Incánus seems to be of unclear language and meaning, a note in the Thain's Book says it is a Quenya form simply adapted from a word in the tongue of the Haradrim: Inkā-nūsh (or possibly Inkā-nūs), meaning "North-spy".[1]
Other versions of the Legendarium
J.R.R. Tolkien several times changed his mind about the meaning of Incánus. Besides the etymology given above, his other variations were:
- Archaic Quenya word meaning "Mind-ruler", from in(id)- ("mind") and cáno ("ruler, governor, chieftain")[1]
- An adaptation from Quenya incānus(se), meaning "mind mastership"[3]
- A possible Westron invention meaning Greymantle[1]
In a draft manuscript of The Lord of the Rings, different names used were Forlong>>Fornold>>Incânus.[4]
Inspiration
Incánus in Latin means "grey-haired". Although Christopher Tolkien has noted that the "coincidence in form" might be an "accident",[1] his father wrote "Incánus Latin" in a later published manuscript,[3] suggesting that the similarity was perhaps mere than a coincidence.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Istari"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Window on the West"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 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. 88
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Ring, "Part Two: The Ring Goes East", "V. Faramir"