√ALAB root. “elm”
A root for “elm” in etymological notes probably written around 1959-1960 (PE17/146, 153). It seems to be a replacement for the root ᴹ√(L)ALAM from The Etymologies of the 1930s. This earlier root was connected to √AL(A) “blessed”, and the later variant may have had the same relationship. Tolkien made a point that the later version of this root was not related to √GAL² “grow” or the words for “tree” after rejecting alternate roots √GALAB (?“flower”) and √GALAM for “elm” (PE17/146). The derivation ✶galmā > Q. alma “flower” was allowed to stand, so perhaps √GALAM remained valid with the alternate sense “flower”.
References ✧ PE17/146, 153
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√GALAM root. “elm”
Reference ✧ PE17/153 ✧ “elm”
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√GALAB root. “flower”
Reference ✧ PE17/153 ✧ GAL-AB
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