Valaraukar

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Main article: Balrog

Valarauco pl. Valaraucar[1][2] is the Quenya name for the Maiarin followers of Morgoth better known in their Sindarin form: Balrogs.

Etymology

It is formed from words vala, 'power' and rauco, 'monster'.[3][4]

Other versions of the legendarium

In The Etymologies, the word Balrog is derived from ñgwalaraukô[4] displaying a derivation from root ñgwal- (referring to "torment, cruelty") instead of val-.[5] This derivation would produce the Quenya word **Nwalarauco.

In the Qenya Lexicon, the Qenya term is Malcarauce.[6][7]

Note

Valarauco is not forming a regular plural **Valaraucor but changing the final vowel in the plural (-o > -ar). Helge Fauskanger suggests that the singular form uses the variant rauco, while the plural form uses the variant rauca for some reason.[3]

Another Quenya word which displays similar properties is perhaps sundo.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels p.415
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "From Quendi and Eldar, Appendix D" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 39, July 1998 p.10
  3. 3.0 3.1 Helge Fauskanger, "Quettaparma Quenyallo" dated 25 December 2008, Ardalambion (accessed 18 April 2024)
  4. 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", RUK
  5. Conrad Dunkerson, "The Truth About Balrogs - What is the etymology of 'balrog'?", Tolkien Meta-FAQ (accessed 18 April 2024)
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I, entry "Balrog", p. 250
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Qenyaqetsa: The Qenya Phonology and Lexicon", in Parma Eldalamberon XII (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne), p. 58