-li

From Tolkien Gateway

-li is a partitive plural ending in Quenya, indicating "many, some, a lot of".[1]:62

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Root LI-, meaning "many", from which lië also comes.[2] Compare -lai in Kinn-lai.

Examples[edit | edit source]

  • vanimálion = genitive "of beautiful children"[3]
  • i falma-li-nna-r = "the foam wave-many-towards-pl. ending"[1]:127

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings: Eldarin Roots and Stems", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson)
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", entry "LI-"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 230, (dated 8 June 1961), p. 308, cf. note 5