The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Race
Used of Hobbits and Orcs (and possibly applicable to other races)
Meaning
A reference to a small creature, with an additional implication of youth

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About this entry:

  • Updated 17 July 2020
  • This entry is complete

Imps

Small creatures of Middle-earth

Imps were not a separate type of creature in Tolkien's world, but rather a smaller and relatively harmless being of any kind. The smallest, least powerful Orcs were referred to as Goblin-imps, at least by Gollum, and the Mouth of Sauron used the same word to refer to Hobbits. The word imp comes originally from an Old English term for a young plant shoot, and from that source developed to imply a young person or child (and only later a mischievous supernatural being).


See also...

Goblin-imps

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 17 July 2020
  • This entry is complete

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