From Dunharrow, a double row of standing stones marked an ancient roadway that led away into the east, towards the Dwimorberg and the Paths of the Dead. A traveller taking that road would soon come under the trees of a dark fir-wood. This was the Dimholt, a name that comes from old words literally meaning 'dark wood'. Deep within the wood stood a single great stone to mark the way, and beyond that, among the roots of the Dwimorberg, lay the Dark Door of the Dead.
Notes
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Given that this wood is commonly described as having been dark and gloomy, it would be natural to assume that the dim element corresponded to the modern English word 'dim'. Though etymologically related, the sense intended by Tolkien is closer to 'obscure' or 'secret' (that is, concealing the secrets of the Paths of the Dead) rather than simply 'dark'.
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- Updated 16 November 2010
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