noun
- (italics) an English alliterative epic poem, probably written in the early 8th century a.d.
- the hero of this poem.
noun
- an anonymous Old English epic poem in alliterative verse, believed to have been composed in the 8th century a.d
Old English beo wulf, literally “bee-wolf,” “a wolf to bees;” a kenning for “bear.” See bee (n.) + wolf (n.).
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.