Word of the Day: Oliphaunt (Mûmak, pl. Mûmakil) – enormous animals that were allies of Sauron. They were similar to the word “Elephant”. It was a word used by the Hobbits. They are also known as mûmakil (S. annabon, Q. andaminda, ‘long-snout’), which was adopted by the Men of Gondor.
Oliphaunt History
They were creatures of the inhabitants in the Westlands. Sam recited a poem about them to Gollum in Ithilien. Faramir led the rangers soon after to a battle witnessed by Frodo and Sam, where they saw an Oliphaunt. They were used to drag war towers and engines against the walls of Minas Tirith.
Sam tried to take one last look at one after being rescued at the Field of Cormallen, but was unable to spot one.
Nevertheless, it is an archaic word for “elephant,” and their ivory, as they do sound similar. While it’s unknown whether the two words are the same, Gandalf mentioned elephants in The Hobbit, which could mean that oliphaunt is a deviation of the original word.
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