MBAR is a Primitive Quendian root basically meaning "settle, establish", but took on considerable semantic development.[1]
In origin, MBAR had the meaning of taking up a firm position in a way that seemed suitable and resolving matters that were in confusion or doubt had arisen; basically to make a decision. It was especially applied to the concept of choosing a region for physical occupation by a family or people and ordering it as "home"; it further developed to include the erection of permanent buildings and dwellings.[2]
Tolkien notes that English "'[s]ettle' is in fact, in its various branches of meaning, a very close rendering of the sense of base √MBAR".[3]:163-4
MBAR eventually further evolved into concepts of the world as a whole (Q. Ambar / S. Amar) and fate (Q. umbar / S. amarth).
Derivatives
Other versions of the legendarium
In the Qenya Lexicon appears the root MBARA, from which was derived Qenya mar ("dwelling of men, -land, the Earth").[4] In the Etymologies appear the root MBAR- signifying "dwell, inhabit" (emended from "dwell, build, inhabit").[5][6]
See also
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: XI. Fate and Free Will"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Three. The World, its Lands, and its Inhabitants: VI. Dwellings in Middle-earth"
- ↑ 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)
- ↑ 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)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", p. 372
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Addenda and Corrigenda to the Etymologies — Part One" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter and Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 45, November 2003, p. 33