Beowulf Vocabulary Quiz & Flashcards: Anathema Defined

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Questions and Answers

What does 'tholed' mean?

A large heavy rope for nautical use

To celebrate noisily

A negotiation between enemies

To endure something without complaint (correct)

What is the meaning of 'prudent'?

Acting with care and thought for the future

Define 'whorl'.

A coil or ring

What is an 'anathema'?

A formal ecclesiastical curse Signup and view all the answers

What does 'wassail' mean?

To propose a toast to or celebrate noisily Signup and view all the answers

What does 'malignant' mean?

Extremely harmful or evil Signup and view all the answers

What is 'parley'?

A negotiation between enemies Signup and view all the answers

What does 'reparation' mean?

Compensation for an insult or injury Signup and view all the answers

Define 'reavers'.

Robbers or those who steal Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'thane'?

A man ranking above an ordinary freeman in Anglo-Saxon England Signup and view all the answers

What does 'interloper' mean?

Someone who intrudes without permission Signup and view all the answers

Define 'hawser'.

A large heavy rope for nautical use Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'bolter'?

Someone who runs or escapes Signup and view all the answers

What does 'whetted' mean?

To sharpen or stimulate Signup and view all the answers

What does 'kith' mean?

Friends and acquaintances Signup and view all the answers

What is 'kin'?

A group related by blood or marriage Signup and view all the answers

Define 'mettle'.

Courage to endure difficult circumstances Signup and view all the answers

What does 'bolster' mean?

To provide support or reinforcement Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'maul'?

A heavy long-handled hammer Signup and view all the answers

What does 'quail' mean?

To draw back in fear or pain Signup and view all the answers

Define 'fen'.

Low-lying wet land Signup and view all the answers

What does 'keening' mean?

A loud wailing Signup and view all the answers

What does 'unremitting' mean?

Continuously uninterrupted Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ignominious' mean?

Deserving disgrace or shame Signup and view all the answers

What does 'hasped' mean?

Unknown Signup and view all the answers

Define 'hirpling'.

Walking lamely with a limp Signup and view all the answers

What does 'archaic' mean?

Extremely old Signup and view all the answers

What does 'celtic' refer to?

An ancient European people related to the Irish, Scots, Welsh, and Bretons Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vocabulary from Beowulf

Tholed: Represents endurance in the face of hardship, emphasizing tolerance without complaint.
Prudent: Highlights the importance of foresight, involving careful consideration for future consequences and wise restraint.
Whorl: Refers to a circular pattern or a small mechanism in spinning equipment, indicating interconnectedness or cycles.
Anathema: Denotes a severe ecclesiastical condemnation, marking someone as detested and cast out from the community.
Wassail: Involves festive celebration, often linked to toasting with a spiced alcoholic drink associated with revelry.
Malignant: Describes something deadly and harmful, often with malicious intent, indicating a threat or evil.
Parley: Indicates negotiations, particularly those held between adversaries aiming for an agreement or truce.
Reparation: Focuses on compensation to correct a wrong, highlighting accountability for injuries or insults.
Reavers: Refers to individuals engaged in theft and plundering, embodying themes of lawlessness and violence.
Thane: Defines a status in Anglo-Saxon society, representing a warrior of noble rank who serves in exchange for land.
Interloper: Describes an unwelcome intruder, emphasizing themes of privacy and societal boundaries.
Hawser: Pertains to nautical terminology, identifying heavy ropes essential for marine activities or vessel security.
Bolter: Suggests someone who escapes or deserts suddenly, often implying cowardice or betrayal.
Whetted: Represents the act of sharpening or enhancing, symbolizing the preparation or excitement of skills or senses.
Kith: Refers to one's social circle comprising friends and acquaintances, underlining social bonds.
Kin: Signifies familial connections through blood or marriage, emphasizing the significance of family in social structures.
Mettle: Emphasizes inner strength and the courage to confront challenges, reflecting personal resilience.
Bolster: Involves providing support or reinforcement, addressing themes of aid and solidarity during difficulties.
Maul: Indicates both a physical tool for driving objects as well as the act of inflicting severe injury, reflecting violence.
Quail: Illustrates a response to fear or pain, conveying vulnerability or reluctance in adverse situations.
Fen: Describes a wetland environment, highlighting ecological diversity and the significance of natural settings.
Keening: Refers to an intense expression of grief through loud wailing, establishing the culture of mourning.
Unremitting: Describes continuous, relentless action, often associated with perseverance or enduring circumstances.
Ignominious: Conveying a sense of disgrace or shame, reflecting societal judgments and moral failures.
Hasped: Represents a state of being secured or locked, suggesting themes of restriction or safety.
Hirpling: Denotes the act of walking with difficulty, often due to injury, symbolizing struggle and suffering.
Archaic: Describes something ancient, highlighting the historical context and evolution over time.
Celtic: Relates to the ancient cultural group that includes the Irish, Scots, Welsh, and Bretons, emphasizing shared heritage and language.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key vocabulary terms from the epic poem Beowulf. This quiz will challenge your understanding of words that convey significant themes and concepts within the text. Enhance your literary vocabulary and explore the rich language used in this classic work.