gond

From Tolkien Gateway

gond or gonn is a Sindarin word meaning "rock" or "stone".[1][2]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

In one manuscript, the word is said to derive from Common Eldarin gon, gondo ("stone, rock").[3] In another manuscript, gond derives from Primitive Quendian gondō ("stone, general as a substance or material").[2]

In the Etymologies, the Noldorin gonn ("a great stone, or rock") derives from the root GONOD/GONDO ("stone").[4]

Examples[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

Cognates[edit | edit source]

Real-world inspiration[edit | edit source]

J.R.R. Tolkien was inspired by the early Celtic word ond, also meaning "rock".[5][6]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entry gond
  2. 2.0 2.1 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), pp. 28-9
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XII. The Problem of Ros", p. 374 (note 16)
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", p. 359 (entry GOND-)
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Return to Bag End, pp. 849, 853
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 324, (dated 4-5 June 1971)