Beowulf

American  

[bey-uh-woolf] / ˈbeɪ əˌwʊlf /

noun

1. (italics)  an English alliterative epic poem, probably written in the early 8th century a.d.

2. the hero of this poem.

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Beowulf British  

/ ˈbeɪəˌwʊlf /

noun

1. an anonymous Old English epic poem in alliterative verse, believed to have been composed in the 8th century _a.d

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Beowulf Cultural  

1. An epic in Old English, estimated as dating from as early as the eighth century; the earliest long work of literature in English. The critical events are the slaying of the monster Grendel and Grendel's mother by the hero Beowulf and Beowulf's battle with a dragon, in which he is mortally wounded.

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Example Sentences

The Atlantic story and other accounts of Kennedy make it clear he views himself as the lone hero of a great battle, a Beowulf intending to slay a dragon of dogma and lies.

From Salon

Fascinated by folklore, he also published an award-winning translation of Beowulf.

From BBC

Sure, go ahead and ask us to believe that John Wick’s lineage stretches back to Beowulf, the Battle of Hastings and the Great Schism.

From Los Angeles Times

The “Beowulf” and “Coraline” screenwriter said he re-read messages he had exchanged with some of the women, particularly communication that had been reported as abusive.

From Los Angeles Times

“We worked on this today for three hours,” scene tech whiz Beowulf Jones noted as Todd Glass took the sold-out UCB stage with a lounge septet.

From Los Angeles Times