Gandalf

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The wise, bearded wizard who guides the hobbits and the Fellowship in J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novels
2. A fictional sorcerer from Tolkien's Middle-earth stories, known for his staff, grey robes and wisdom
3. The celebrated grey-robed magician character who appears in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

Etymology: Gandalf is a name before it is a word. In Old Norse mythology, "Gandalfr" was the name of a dwarf-like figure whose name meant roughly "elf familiar," built from elements meaning "magic" or "staff" and "elf." Medieval Latin records also show similar names borne by a few saints and clergymen, which may have lent it some extra currency in medieval Europe. For most English speakers, though, the word belongs to J. R. R. Tolkien. He drew on the Old Norse name for the wizard of The Lord of the Rings, and the character made the name famous enough that it is now used as a common noun for a wise, bearded, staff-carrying magician, and as a figure of guidance in fiction and popular culture.