Tolkien vocabulary I (serious) - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Corwyn Celesil · 01-16-2004, 12:03 PM

No one has at yet responded to a much earlier question about the meaning of the word 'fell,' which is frequently used when describing the people of Rohan. My admittedly American dictionary describes it thus: "1 Fierce; terrible; cruel. 2 Deadly: archaic except in the phrase "one fell swoop," a single effort or action that is completely effective, devastating, etc." That is pretty much what I gained from the context of the writings I have read that used that word. Many word meanings can be extrapolated from context. Any other thoughts on 'fell'?

01-16-2004, 12:03 PM	#30
Corwyn Celesil Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The House of the Fountain, Gondolin Posts: 57	No one has at yet responded to a much earlier question about the meaning of the word 'fell,' which is frequently used when describing the people of Rohan. My admittedly American dictionary describes it thus: "1 Fierce; terrible; cruel. 2 Deadly: archaic except in the phrase "one fell swoop," a single effort or action that is completely effective, devastating, etc." That is pretty much what I gained from the context of the writings I have read that used that word. Many word meanings can be extrapolated from context. Any other thoughts on 'fell'? __________________ Then came there from the south of the city the people of the Fountain, and Ecthelion was their lord, and silver and diamonds were their delight; and swords very long and bright and pale did they wield . . .