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Eldar Lexicon
From Warhammer 40k - Lexicanum
The Eldar Language is highly advanced and almost impossible to understand for lesser races. Many references draw upon the Eldar psyche, mythical figures, and long-lost events. The Eldar also communicate with pose and gesture, it is possible for two Eldar to have full conversations without saying a word to one another.[1]
The written Eldar language is just as complex, with each symbol being a concept as opposed to a letter. Even more complicated is the fact that many of these word-concepts have different meanings depending on the context in which they are presented.[1]
Contents
Sentences
Eldar sentence | translation | notes | source |
Shea nudh Asuryanish ereintha Asuryanat | May the blessings of Asuryan protect the children of Asuryan from abomination | Most potent and dire of all prayers | Shadow Point (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 56 |
Da gceilfi an fhirinne, b'flieidir go neosfai breag- | If the truth were hidden, perhaps a lie would be told. | Sentence may be incomplete | Harlequin (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 131 |
Bhi se chomh dorcha gur cheapamair go raibh an oichie tagtha. | It was so dark that we thought night had come. | Harlequin (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 132 | |
Nil ann ach cleasai, agus tá an iomad measa aige air féin. | The trickster thinks too much of himself. | Chaos Child (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 142 | |
Bionn an fear ciallmar ina thost muai ná bîonn pioc le rá aige. | Meaning unknown A similar sentence in Irish: "Bíonn an fear ciallmhar ina thost nuair ná bhíonn pioc le rá aige" means "The wise man is silent when he has nothing to say." |
Chaos Child (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 143 | |
Elthir corannir rhiantha en. | The Eldar maiden who weeps tears for the warrior-folk in the starlight of Rhidhol during the winter. | Basic translation means "mourner" or "widow" though has a much deeper meaning for grief and loss in the Eldar tongue | Codex: Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 49 |
Terms
A
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Agaith | False face | Refers to the face masks worn by Harlequins. Irish "aghaidh" means "face" |
Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, pg. 191 |
Ai'elethra | Path. | Codex: Craftworlds (8th Edition)[Needs Citation] | |
Alai | Of the Craftworld Alaitoc | Codex: Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 49 | |
Amon Harakht | Eagle pilot | Fighter pilot. | Shadow Point (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 42 |
Amon ny-shak Kaelis | Forge of Sun and Stars | Angel Exterminatus (Novel), Chapter Ten | |
Arebennian | Harlequin Solitaires. | Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, pg. 187 | |
Asureah | Kaelor term for Aspect Warrior. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary | |
Asurya | Kaelor term for Phoenix Lord. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary | |
Asuryani | Follower of Asuryan | Craftworld Eldar. | Codex: Craftworlds (8th Edition)[Needs Citation] |
Athair | Harlequin Troupe Master. Irish "athair" means "father" |
White Dwarf 53 (2015), pg. 31 | |
Atherakhia | Destruction | Codex: Dark Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 35 | |
Athesdan | Archaic Kaelor term for the Farseer of Kaelor. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary |
B
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Bechareth | Spirit on the wind | Used to describe Eldar who died without a spirit stone. | Dark Son (Short Story) - Path of the Eldar (Omnibus), pg. 765 |
Beithir | Thunderbolt/striking serpent | Ambiguous word; applied to Eldar Support Weapon Batteries In Scottish floklore beithir is a serpentine dragon |
Codex Titanicus, pg. 38 |
Brathu-angau | Kiss of doom | Harlequin's Kiss weapon. | Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, pg. 191 |
Buanna | Reaper | Shuriken Cannon/Shrieker Cannon. Historically in Irish "buanna" was referring to a billeted soldier |
Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, pg. 191 |
C
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Ceiba-ny-shak | Eldar curse, exact translation unknown. | Shadow Point (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 49 | |
Ceifulgaithann | Wind rider | Applied to Eldar Jetbikes. | Codex Titanicus, pg. 38 |
Creidann | Belief-maker | Mini-grenade launcher firing hallucinogen grenades. Irish "creideann" means "[he/she/it] believes" |
WD127, pg. 191 |
D
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Dakiilithyli | Jetbikes. | Shadow Point (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 221 | |
Dannan | Death | See: Mael dannan | Shadow Point (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 42 |
Dathedi | Between colours | Holo-suit. | Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, pg. 191 |
Dhanir | Kaelor term for Stage, Path, or Way. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary | |
Dhamashir | Kaelor term for Soul. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary | |
Distaur | Harlequin Mime. | Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, pg. 186 | |
Drethuchii | The Shattering of Harmony | Symbol of the Kabal of the Broken Sigil. | Codex: Dark Eldar (7th Edition), pg. 19 |
Druchii | Dark Ones | Dark Eldar. | Shadow Point (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 219 |
E
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Eladrith Ynneas | Meaning Dark Eldar, the term was first used openly by the Kabal of the Black Heart. | Codex: Dark Eldar (7th Edition), pg. 48 | |
Esdainn | Harlequin Shadowseer. | White Dwarf 53 (2015), pg. 31 | |
Eshairr | An outcast/renegade without ties or allegiance to any craft-world, a homeless exile. Fourth of the five words for an outcast; only one meaning above the level of a true outcast; deadly insult. | Shadow Point (Novel), Chapter 16 | |
Exodine Knovah | Kaelor term for Eldar Knights. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary |
F
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Faerulh | The breath of the lost | Kaelor term for the mythic breeze said to emante from the soul of Kaelor. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary |
Fhaisorr'ko | A decisive point in the future which the Eldar Seers cannot predict. | Shadow Point (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 53 | |
Fian Dialcaman | Dire Avengers. | Codex Titanicus, pg. 39 | |
Fian Siispeiraigh | Swooping Hawks. | Codex Titanicus, pg. 39 | |
Fir Caurifel | Eldar Titan Clans. | Codex Titanicus, pg. 48 | |
Fluir-haern | Spirit Pool | Kaelor term for Infinity Circuit. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary |
G
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Geirgilath | A Harlequin flip belt. | White Dwarf 53 (2015), pg. 31 |
H
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Haranshemash | World of Blood and Tears | Present name of the Exodite World "Haran". | Codex: Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 43 |
I
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Ihnyoh | Elaborate Kaelor term for Way or Path, which refers to the Eldar Way itself. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary | |
Ilmaea | Black suns | The dying stars held in sub-realms of Commorragh to provide energy. | Codex: Dark Eldar (7th Edition), pg. 10 |
Ione | Lady | Kaelor term for the senior seer of the House of Yuthran. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary |
Ishyrea | Kaelor term for a Seer, the Gifted of Isha. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary |
K
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Kaelis Ra | The Destroyer of Light | C'tan Nightbringer. | Codex: Necrons (3rd Edition), pg. 28 |
Karuchi Vohra | The ender of suffering | Title in the Bielerai dialect; Healer | Angel Exterminatus (Novel), Chapter Five |
Kilithikadya | Near-future-to-come | Near future. | Shadow Point (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 53 |
Knavir | One of several Kaelor terms for the terrestrial Eldar before the Fall. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary |
L
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Lann Caihe | Water Bringer | Executive officer, second in command on a spaceship. It his duty to 'bring water' to 'quench the fire' of his superior (i.e. to relieve him of his command if needed). Extremely rare, such an act is a disgrace to the captain in question who has no choice but to leave the craftworld becoming an outcast. | Shadow Point (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 44 and pg. 244 |
M
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Mael dannan | Total and merciless extermination | No mercy/No quarter. | Shadow Point (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 42 |
Maelsha'eil Atherakhia | Beautiful eagle from hell that brings the end of all things | Angel Exterminatus[Note 1] | Angel Exterminatus (Novel), Chapter Six |
Marathag | Face of death | Fear-inducing Rictus Masks worn by Harlequin Troupe Masters. | Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, pg. 191 White Dwarf 53 (2015), pg. 31 |
Marb'ailtor | Corpse-Joker | Name of a Harlequin, translation might not be fully accurate. In Irish "marbh" means "dead" |
Chaos Child (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 159 |
Margorach | Harlequin Death Jesters. | Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, pg. 185 | |
Marsgrech | Screaming death | Bio-explosive shuriken ammunition. | Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, pg. 192 |
Maugan Ra | The Harvester of Souls | Name and title of Maugan Ra. | Codex: Eldar (2nd Edition)[Needs Citation] |
Maugetar | Harvester | Also the name of the weapon of Maugan Ra. | Codex: Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 42 |
Menshad Korum | Hunters in pursuit of themselves | Lost Warriors; Exarchs of two or more Warrior Aspects. | White Dwarf 127 (1990), pg. 25 |
Mile'ionahd | Warrior of wonder; warrior of surprise | Eldar name used by the Callidus Assassin, Meh'Lindi. In irish "míle" means "thousand", and "ionadh" means "wonder" |
Harlequin (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 137 |
Mon-keigh | Perjorative; Any species deemed inferior; most often used for humans. Derived from legendary cannibalistic misshapen monstrosities that invaded and subjugated Eldar lands until they were cleansed from the galaxy by the hero Elronhir. | Codex: Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 49 | |
Murehk | Sting of the wasp | Shuriken Pistol. | Codex: Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 49 |
O
Eldar Term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | Source |
Oghyr | Unknown | Necrons | Codex: Necrons (9th Edition) pg.26-27 |
Q
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Quihan | Kaelor term for a teacher or master. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary |
R
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Rhana Dandra | The final battle where all the Eldar will face Chaos for the last time. | ||
Rillietann | A member of a Harlequin Troupe or Harlequins as a whole. | White Dwarf 53 (2015), pg. 31, Warhammer 40,000: Compendium, pg. 184 |
S
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Saedath | Allegorical strategic plan for a battle, taken from a mythic play of a Harlequin masque. | Codex: Harlequins (7th Edition), pg. 14 | |
Saim | Snake; secret knowledge | Double meaning - the snake is supposed to know all secrets. | Codex: Craftworld Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 3 |
Seachmall | Illusion | Harlequin (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 229 | |
Seachran | Delusion. | Harlequin (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 229 | |
Sha'iel (or Sha'eil)[Note 2] | Place of daemons; hell | The Warp / the energy of the Warp. | Farseer (Novel), Chapter Twelve / Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary |
Sha'ielbhr | Kaelor term for Wraithbone. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary | |
Shelwe | Song | When used as a suffix for names, the meaning is "Song of name". | Codex: Craftworld Eldar (3rd Edition), pg. 3 |
Shlaereen | Silent death. | Vindicare (Short Story) – Tales from the Dark Millennium (Anthology), pg. 58 | |
Sierbahn | Scatter Laser. | Warhammer 40,000: Wargear (2nd Edition) | |
Slavhreenur | Salvation | Warrior Coven (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 97 | |
Sleehr | Technical Kaelor term used by Seers and Wraithsmiths to describe an imbalance between the material and immaterial energies of an entity. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary | |
Suin Daellae | The doom that wails | Weapon of the Avatar. | WD127, pg. 32 |
T
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Tranglam | 'Doctrine of Tranglam' seems to be the Eldar term for Chaos Theory. | Chaos Child (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 161 | |
Tuelean | Shuriken Catapult. | Warhammer 40,000: Wargear (2nd Edition)[Needs Citation] |
U
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Uigebealach | Eldar theory of the Webway. In Irish "uige" means "web" and "bealach" means "way" |
Harlequin (Novel), [Needs Citation], pg. 231 |
V
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Vaugnh | Abomination | Kaelor term thought originally to have been written on the blades created by Vaul for Khaine. | Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary |
Y
Eldar term | literal translation | common translation, usual meaning, notes | source |
Yngir | Demi-god giants; C'tan. | Codex: Necrons (3rd Edition), pg. 63 Codex: Eldar (4th Edition), pg. 42 | |
Ynnealidh | The necropolis below | Refers to Low Commorragh and other regions around it, used to express contempt by those in High Commorragh. | Codex: Dark Eldar (7th Edition), pg. 11 |
Notes
- Note 1: This may have been a deception, as it was revealed that the Eldar in question, Karuchi Vohra, was lying.[2]
- Note 2: Early editions of Farseer (Novel) spell this word "Sha'eil", except for the title of Chapter Fourteen "Into Sha'iel". The 2010 reprint changes all spellings of the word to "Sha'iel".[3] Other sources also vary between "Sha'eil"[4][5] and "Sha'iel".[6][7][8]
Related Articles
Other Sources
- 1: Codex: Eldar (6th Edition), pg. 37
- 2: Angel Exterminatus (Novel), Chapter Twenty-One
- 3: Farseer (Novel) (first edition and 2010 reprint), Chapters Twelve to Fourteen
- 4: Aurelian (Novella), Chapter Five
- 5: Void Stalker (Novel), Chapter XXX
- 6: Menshad Korum (Short Story)
- 7: Eldar Prophecy (Novel), Glossary
- 8: Warrior Coven (Novel), Chapters One, Three, Four, and Eight to Ten
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