Beowulf Vocabulary List and Study Cards

Beowulf Vocabulary

Create study cards (these can be index cards or cards made from regular paper) for each of the twelve vocabulary words. On one side of the card write the phonetic spelling of the word. (Clicking on the letters in parentheses below will take you to an easier to read version of the phonetic spelling.) On the other side write the word in the middle of the card. Write a definition in the top left corner, a synonym (word meaning nearly the same thing) in the top right corner, a picture in the bottom left corner, and an example in the bottom right corner.

For example: take the word "solace". Write sŏl'ĭs on one side of the card. Write solace in the middle of the other side. Write comfort in sorrow (the definition) in the top left corner. Write relief (a synonym) in the top right corner. Draw a stick-figure picture of a mother hugging a child in the bottom left corner. Write Beowulf defeating Grendel for the Danes (an example) in the bottom right corner.

All twelve cards are due on Friday, September 17, 2010.

Four SAT words that appear in Beowulf

af·flic·tion (-flkshn)

n. A condition of pain, suffering, or distress; A cause of pain, suffering, or distress.

—Synonyms 2. mishap, trouble, tribulation, calamity, catastrophe, disaster. Affliction, adversity, misfortune, trial refer to an event or circumstance that is hard to bear.

—Antonyms 1. relief, comfort, solace.

[Origin: 1300–50; ME affliccioun <>afflīctiōn- (s. of afflīctiō).]

sen·ti·nel (sěn'tə-nəl)
n. One that keeps guard; a sentry (a guard, a watch, a lookout).

[Middle French, from Old Italian, from Latin]

sin·ew (sĭn'yōō)
n.

A tendon.

Vigorous strength; muscular power.

The source or mainstay of vitality and strength.

[Middle English, from Old English]

sol·ace (sŏl'ĭs)
n. Comfort (or a source of comfort) in sorrow, misfortune, or distress; consolation; alleviation; relief.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin]

Five words that will help us understand Anglo-Saxon poetry

al·lit·er·a·tion (-lt-rshn)

n. The repetition of the same sounds (usually consonant sounds) or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables, as in “on scrolls of silver snowy sentences” (Hart Crane).

[From ad- + Latin littera, letter.]

cae·su·ra also ce·su·ra (s-zhr, -zr)

n.

Prosody. a break, esp. a sense pause, usually near the middle of a verse, and marked in scansion by a double vertical line

A pause or interruption, as in conversation
[Latin caesra, a cutting, from caesus, past participle of caedere, to cut off. See ka-id- in Indo-European Roots.]

ep·ic (pk)

n. An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero (or any literary work, period of history, etc. resembling an epic)

adj. Related to a literary epic; Surpassing the usual or ordinary, particularly in scope or size; Heroic and impressive

ken·ning (knng)

n. A figurative, usually compound expression used in place of a name or noun, especially in Old English and Old Norse poetry; for example, storm of swords is a kenning for battle and wave traveler is a kenning for boat.

[Old Norse, from kenna, to know, to name with a kenning. See gn- in Indo-European Roots.]

scop (shp, shp)

n. An Old English poet or bard.
[Old English.]

Three words that will help us understand Anglo-Saxon culture

mail² (ml)

n. Flexible armor composed of small overlapping metal rings, loops of chain, or scales. 2. The protective covering of certain animals, as the shell of a turtle.
[Middle English, from Old French maile, from Latin macula, blemish, mesh.]

mead (md)

n. An alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey and water.

weird (wîrd)
adj.

Of, relating to, or suggestive of the preternatural or supernatural.

Of a strikingly odd or unusual character; strange.

Archaic Of or relating to fate or the Fates.

n.

Fate; destiny.
[Middle English from Old English wyrd, fate]