Beowulf

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English

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English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

Etymology

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Learned borrowing from Old English Bēowulf, probably equivalent to bee +‎ wolf, though the first element is uncertain.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈbeɪoʊwʊlf/, /ˈbeɪəwʊlf/

Proper noun

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Beowulf

  1. An Old English epic poem written circa 1025.
    John Gardner’s retelling of Beowulf is titled Grendel.
  2. (poetic) An Anglo-Saxon personal name, usually with reference to the hero of the poem, or to the poem itself.
    Beowulf is as great a hero as Sigmund.

Derived terms

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Translations

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Old English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Origin uncertain, perhaps from bēo (bee) +‎ wulf (wolf), literally bee-hunter, used as a kenning for “bear” or “woodpecker”.[1][2][3] Compare also the alternative form Beadowulf, from beadu (battle) +‎ wulf, which may be the original. Probably cognate with Old Norse Bjólfr (from earlier *Bíolfr, *Béolfr).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈbe͜oːˌwulf/, [ˈbe͜oːˌwuɫf]

Proper noun

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Bēowulf m

  1. (poetic) Beowulf

Declension

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References

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  1. ^ Traditions, Superstitions, and Folklore, (chiefly Lancashire and the North of England: ) Their Affinity to Others in Widely-distributed Localities; Their Eastern Origin and Mythical Significance by Charles Hardwick, 1872.
  2. ^ Curiosities of Indo-European Tradition and Folk-lore by Walter Keating Kelly, 1863.
  3. ^ The Saxons in England: A History of the English Commonwealth Till the Period of the Norman Conquest by John Mitchell Kemble, 1849.