Lost One - in HoME 10, Morgoth's Ring, there is a text which gives Tolkien's final (or latest) view on the nature of Orcs and in it Tolkien himself states that Saruman had bred Orcs and Men.
And Orc is indeed real Old English word meaning evil spirit (and is also used to refer to the orca, or whale). Tolkien, however, is using the word for his own use, somewhat independent of the word's real meaning. Orc is a Westron word derived from Elvish and later Mannish tongues, which explains his comment in the prologue.
[ November 25, 2003: Message edited by: Westerly Wizard ]
[ November 25, 2003: Message edited by: Westerly Wizard ]
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"He was sent by a mere prudent plan of the angelic Valar or governors; but Authority had taken up this plan and enlarged it, at the moment of its failure."
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