Beowulf
/ˈbeɪ.oʊ.wʊlf/noun
The title of an Old English epic poem, and the name of its legendary hero.
Did you know?In Old English poetry, a “bee-wolf” was a kenning for a bear because bears raid honey from beehives, turning the name into a fierce nature-image rather than a magical title.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
Bēowulf
“A legendary hero’s name in the epic poem Beowulf; the exact original sense is debated.”
Old English
OE
bēo
“Bee.”
Old English
OE
wulf
“Wolf.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*wulfaz
“Wolf.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wĺ̥kʷos
“Wolf.”
Modern English
English
Beowulf
“The title and hero of the Old English epic poem.”