Beowulf vocabulary
Part of Speech
Definition
Affliction
Noun
A cause of pain or distress
Alliteration
Noun
Caesura
Noun
Cowering
Adjective
Repetition of consonant sounds at
the beginnings of words
A pause dividing a line of AngloSaxon poetry in two parts, each
having two accented syllables. Often
designated with a dash
Cringing in fear
Epic Poem
Noun
Fetter
Noun/verb
Long narrative poem on a serious
subject in an elevated style.
A shackle or chain; restraint
Gorge
verb
To stuff with food
Hyperbole
Noun
Infamous
Adjective
A figure of speech in which the truth
is exaggerated for emphasis
Having a bad reputation; notorious
Kennings
Noun
Lament
Verb/noun
Metaphorical compound words
substituted for simple nouns
Audible expression of grief; wail
Livid
Adjective
Discolored; black and blue
Loathsome
Adjective
Disgusting; hateful
Metaphors
Nouns
Murky
Adjective
Figure of speech that makes a
comparison between two things that
are basically unalike without the use
of ”like” or “as”
Cloudy; gloomy
Pilgrimage
Noun
Purge
Verb
A journey to a sacred place or with a
lofty purpose
To cleanse or purify
Relish
Verb
To enjoy keenly
Ring-givers
Noun
Good kings
Scop
Noun
Talon
Noun
Anglo=Saxon poet who memorized
and recited poetry and sometimes
wrote it.
Sharp claw or nail
Sentence
Beowulf vocabulary
Taut
Adjective
Pulled tight
Weregild
Noun
(in Anglo-Saxon society) a payment
made to the family of a slain man by
his killer or the killer’s family as
compensation, atonement, and to
avoid reprisals.
Writhing
adjective
Twisting and turning in pain
Graybeards
Noun
Old men