Númen

Quenya for West. Also the name of the Tengwa number 17, which makes the soft 'n' sound. In the Mode of Beleriand, this letter was used for double nn.

Because the common use of this word was used to denote the cardinal direction West, Númen was also used by peoples that did not use Tengwar.

[edit] Etymology

Root NDÛ^[1] plus -men which marks a direction. Also PQ numê-n "going down", sunset, West.^[2]

[edit] See also

• Númenor
• andúnë

[edit] Inspiration

A possible real-life inspiration is the Latin word numen meaning "divine will".

[edit] References

1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, The Etymologies
2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 303, (dated 6 May 1968)