BEOWULF VOCABULARY
Global Literature I, Spring 2009
Log # 1: The Prologue
scourge (n)
a source of great suffering or harm
rampage (n)
violent, frenzied behavior
foundling (n)
an orphan
flourish (v)
to grow, do well
waxed (v)
got larger
whale-road (n)
the sea
steadfast (adj)
strong and steady
bade (v)
told
revered (v)
worshiped
ring-whorled prow (n)
the front of a ship decorated with interlaced rings
furbished (adj)
polished
tackle (n)
equipment
bountifully (adv)
generously
bewailing (adj)
moaning
weathered (v)
withstood
salvaged (adj)
saved from destruction
held sway (v)
had power
wallstead (n)
the mead hall
renege (v)
to go back on a promise
dole (v)
give
abide (v)
remain
rampant (adj)
out of control
Logs # 2 and 3
harrow (v)
torment
din (n)
loud noise
girdled (adj)
encircled
gleaming (adj)
shining
quicken (v)
come alive
maraud (v)
destroy
heath (n)
deserted field common to England where very little grows
desolate (adj)
without hope
fen (n)
a marsh, swamp
dwelt (v)
lived
exact (v)
take
anathema (adj)
opposite
insensible (adj)
without feeling, unaware
havoc (n)
chaos
lair (n)
a place where an animal lives, usually underground
blundering (v)
making mistakes, moving awkwardly
wassail (n)
celebration
storied (adj)
full of history
stricken (adj)
harmed, wounded
aghast (adj)
speechless, frightened, shocked
respite (n)
rest
malignant (adj)
evil
remorse (n)
guilt, sorrow
lay (n)
a song or poem, common in Old English, usually about heroes
beset (v)
attacked
ravage (v)
to destroy
rabid (adj)
crazy, dangerous
atrocious (adj)
disgusting, horrifying
pagan (n, adj)
non-Christian
heathen (n, adj)
non-Christian, unbeliever
forfeit (v)
give up
Log # 4
woe (n)
affliction (n)
canny (adj)
gangplank (n)
churn (v)
vessels (n)
looming (adj)
headlands (n)
vaulted (adj)
moored (adj)
thresh (v)
hull (n)
sentries (n)
interlopers (n)
word-hoard (n)
monger (v)
proffer (v)
turmoil (n)
sorrow
pain, illness
careful, smart, knowing
part of a ship that leads from the deck to the ground
stir
ships
hanging over dangerously
the part of the coastland that juts out to sea beyond the mainland
arched high overhead
anchored on land
to beat
the sides of a ship
guards
intruders
vocabulary, speech
sell
sell/offer
unrest
Log # 5 (lines 356-490)
resolute (adj)
decisive
formidable (adj)
intimidating, inspiring fear or awe
thane (n)
a knight
recompense (v, n)
pay back
hearth (n)
the front of a fireplace
plight (n)
suffering, fate
reckless (adj)
without care
renounce (v)
give up
glut (n)
feed oneself, pig out
gorged (adj)
full to bursting
gloating (adj)
mocking in triumph
moor-nest (n)
the “nest” in the moors (swampy wetlands) where Grendel lives
wreak (v)
caused
wane (v)
to get smaller, lessen
whet (v)
sharpen
dwindle (v)
to get smaller
relish (v)
to enjoy
Log # 6 Feast at Heorot (lines 491-661)
bearing (n)
the way you carry yourself
stalwart (adj)
strong, sturdy
vie (v)
to fight
bout (n)
an episode
wallow (v)
indulge in
pinion (v)
hold (pin) down
swathe (v)
cover, as with cloth
lurk (v)
hide in the darkness
buffet (v)
hit
kith (n)
acquaintances, friends
scarf (v)
eat quickly
stealthy (adj)
under cover
murk (n)
darkness
mettle (n)
composition, strength
wield (v)
to hold, carry
bolster (v)
to prop up
slack (adj)
loose
shadow-bourne (adj)
carried along by the shadows
bane (n)
downfall
spurn (v)
turn away from
tread (v)
walk
baleful (adj)
full of sorrow
ravening (adj)
destructive
maul (v)
destroy
bone-lappings (n)
the parts of the body, ligaments, that hold the bone to muscle
venture (v)
dare
forestall (v)
put off
quail (v)
shrink back in fear
recoil (v)
same as quail
stockade (n)
a place where weapons are kept
onslaught (n)
attack
catastrophe (n)
disaster
hell-serf (n)
a “serf” (servant) of Hell
manacle (v, n)
chain
sinews (n)
see bone-lappings
ignominious (adj)
skulk (v)
full of sin
to lurk, move in shadows, hide
Log # 10 Victory celebration in Heorot (lines 836 on)
refurbish (v)
re-supply, make whole again
thronging (adj)
crowding into or around
unscathed (adj)
unharmed
ordain (v)
to decree
relish (v, n)
to enjoy; enthusiasm
standard (n)
flag
sumptuous (adj)
luxurious
carnage (n)
gore
fore (n)
front
renown (n)
fame
bounty (n)
generosity
The following page includes vocabulary words from the latter parts of Beowulf. You should
learn them on your own.
Grendel’s Mother (lines 1383-1650)
anguish
avenger
bestowed
boded
brooded
bulwark
crags
dam, hell-dam
depredations
discern
elated
fettle
flailing
hefted
hewed
honed
lavish
lurked
marauders
misbegotten
plunder
racked
razes
redress
retaliated
sage
sallied
shunned
sounded
surge
uncanny
whetted
Beowulf’s Rule in Geatland and the Fight with
the Dragon
Reverted
Warden
Prowl
Barrow
Trove
Wiles
Broached
Wrath
Cache
Ware
Sheen
Hasped
War-mask
Mustered
Timber
(cont.)
Pillage
Harrower
Avail
Plea
Reinstated
Writhing
Gloaming
Vessel: cup
Hurtled
Vile
Sky-winger
Brunt
Virulent
Thwarted
Ordinance
Rased
Smithy
Linden
Sky-plague
Scant
Purged
Outgrappled
Earth-fort
Molten
Cave-guard
Warshirt
Hale
Wafting
Outlandish
Writhed
Convulsed
Keen-edged
Enameled
Hard-pressed
Spasm
Billowed
Spewed
Infallible
Furled
Brandished
Bequeathed
Reek
Lapped
Boss
Reap
Quelled
Swabbed
Languishing
Howe
Flagon
Pyre