[obloquy]

We use the term "immortal" rather loosely with Elves to contrast with "Mortal Men", for this reason (HoMe X: Morgoth's Ring Athrabeth Finrod Ah Andreth):

The Elves appeared on Earth earlier, but not (mythologically or geologically) much earlier; they were 'immortal', and did not 'die' except by accident.

But in contrast, here's from HoMe X: Morgoth's Ring Myths Transformed[/i]:

As for Elves being 'immortal': they in fact only had enormously long lives, and were themselves physically 'wearing out', and suffering a slow progressive weakening of their bodies.

And this, again from Athrabeth:

Elvish 'immortality' is bounded within a part of Time (which he would call the History of Arda), and is therefore strictly to be called rather 'serial longevity', the utmost limit of which is the length of the existence of Arda. (Author's Note 2, p. 337) A corollary of this is that the Elvish fëa is also limited to the Time of Arda, or at least held within it and unable to leave it, while it lasts.

So there it is. We call the Elves "immortal" because Tolkien did. We could also say that Mortal Man is dying from the moment of his birth: this was not the case with Elves, who were not daily moving closer to death. If, then, it is for this reason that Mortal Man is thus named, the opposite (the Elves) would be Immortal.

Edit: Why is there no "Post Preview" option? :P

[ December 16, 2001: Message edited by: obloquy ]