What does Minas mean?

[The Evenstar]

Hey!

Please excuse my ignorance but I’ve noticed so many cities in Middle-earth have the name ‘Minas’ in it so I was just wondering what ‘Minas” actually means. Sorry, I know this isn’t a discussion, really, but I needed to ask that question. Thanks!

[Estelyn Telcontar]

'Minas' is Sindarin and means 'tower'. If you look closely at the locations so named, you will notice that they are all towers. (And it's just fine to ask questions here - that's what the forum is for!)

[davem]

Maybe you'd be interested in a few books on Elvish languages, which would help with the meanings of words, names & places.
There's the Etymologies in volume 5 of HoME. An Introduction to Elvish by Jim Allen, or the cheapest, A Sindarin Lexicon by Kenneth Chaij from the Tolkien Society, which as well as giving a list of Sindarin words & meanings, also shows how to write & pronounce the language. (Scroll down to the Tolkien Society Publications section) http://www.tolkiensociety.org/tstrading/index.html

[Meela]

Minas Tirith- Tower of the Guard
Minas Ithil- Tower of the Moon
Minas Anor- Tower of the Sun
Minas Morgul- Tower of the Something Which I Cant Remember

Any others i dont know about?

[Phrim]

Minas Morgul means Tower of Sorcery.

[The Evenstar]

Hey!

Thank you very much for answering my quetsion. Have a good day.

[Meela]

You too! And thanks for confirming Minas Morgul. I can never remember the meaning.