Beowulf

Be·o·wulf

noun \ˈbā-ə-ˌwu̇lf\

Definition of BEOWULF

: a legendary Geatish warrior and hero of the Old English poem Beowulf

— Be·o·wulf·ian \ˌbā-ə-ˈwu̇l-fē-ən\ adjective

First Known Use of BEOWULF

before 12th century

Beowulf

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Heroic poem considered the highest achievement of Old English literature and the earliest European vernacular epic. It deals with events of the early 6th century and was probably composed c. 700–750. It tells the story of the Scandinavian hero Beowulf, who gains fame as a young man by vanquishing the monster Grendel and Grendel's mother; later, as an aging king, he kills a dragon but dies soon after, honoured and lamented. Beowulf belongs metrically, stylistically, and thematically to the Germanic heroic tradition but shows a distinct Christian influence.