Beowulf Vocabulary

Question 1

scop

Answer 1

an Anglo-Saxon bard or poet

Question 2

moored

Answer 2

to secure (a ship, boat, dirigible, etc.) in a particular place, as by cables and anchors or by lines

Question 3

gables

Answer 3

decorative triangular-shaped roofing structures

Question 4

wergild

Answer 4

money paid to the relatives of a murder victim in compensationfor loss and to prevent a blood feud

Question 5

linden

Answer 5

soft light wood.

Question 6

mead

Answer 6

a fermented beverage made of water and honey, malt, and yeast

Question 7

vexed

Answer 7

irritated

Question 8

gorges

Answer 8

eats greedily

Question 9

sentinel

Answer 9

a soldier stationed as a guard to challenge all comers and prevent a surprise attack

Question 10

talons

Answer 10

the claw of an animal and especially of a bird of prey

Question 11

sinews

Answer 11

a tendon

Question 12

hoary

Answer 12

extremely old, gray or white with age

Question 13

pyre

Answer 13

a pile of wood or other combustible materials used for burning a dead body (funeral rite)

Question 14

hoard

Answer 14

to accumulate for preservation in a hidden or guarded place, carefully guarded supply

Question 15

scabbard

Answer 15

sheath for a sword

Question 16

runic

Answer 16

consisting or set down in an ancient alphabet used for writing Germanic script, most often used in Scandinavia and Britain from about 3rd to 13th century.

Question 17

solace

Answer 17

to console or cheer

Question 18

niggardly

Answer 18

reluctant to give or spend, stingy

Question 19

skulked

Answer 19

move in stealthy manner

Question 20

scruples

Answer 20

moral or ethical standard that acts as restraining force

Question 21

fen

Answer 21

a marsh

Question 22

fiend

Answer 22

evil spirit

Question 23

minstrel

Answer 23

medieval poet or musician, a singe of songs, esp. the singers who memorized epics.

Question 24

grovel

Answer 24

to “kow-tow” or bend down to someone out of fear or desire for attention.

Question 25

puny

Answer 25

of less than normal size and strength; weak.

Question 26

bounteous

Answer 26

plentiful, abundant, given with generosity.

Question 27

clarion

Answer 27

loud and shrill

Question 28

lair

Answer 28

a den or resting place of a wild animal

Question 29

stupor

Answer 29

in a sleepy state due to an illicit drug or drink

Question 30

tranquil

Answer 30

free from commotion or tumult; peaceful; quiet; calm

Question 31

shackled

Answer 31

chained or prevented from moving.

Question 32

torrent

Answer 32

a stream of water or blood flowing with great rapidity and violence.

Question 33

plummet

Answer 33

to dive or fall quickly.

Question 34

alliteration

Answer 34

LITERARY TERM- the repetition of initial identical consonant sounds or any vowel sounds in successive or closely words or syllables.

Question 35

kenning

Answer 35

LITERARY TERM- a sterotypical figurative phrase used in Old English and other Germanic tongues as a synonym for a simple noun; often picturesque metaphorical compounds.