Beowulf — Vocabulary
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	50	top 2000
hoardgather and collect (something thought valuable) She decided to hoard her favorite snacks in the back of the pantry, keeping them hidden from her siblings.more Show sample from book Full oft for less have I largess showered, my precious hoard, on a punier man, less stout in struggle.†49 more gathers something valuable and stores it Show general definition to gather something valuable and store it; or a collection of such things
	32
feuda bitter, long-standing fight Perhaps the most famous American family feud was between the Hatfields and McCoys.more Show sample from book {1b} Nor far was that day when father and son-in-law stood in feud for warfare and hatred that woke again.†31 more Show general definition bitter hostile argument between two parties -- typically long-standing between families or tribes with occasional incidents of violence Show editor's word notes Sometimes the term blood feud is used to reference a feud between families.
	17	top 2000
avengetake revenge for In the story, she wants to avenge the murder of her brother.more Show sample from book I' the waves I slew nicors {6a} by night, in need and peril avenging the Weders, {6b} whose woe they sought, —crushing the grim ones.†16 more avenge → avenging:taking revenge Show general definition take revenge for a perceived wrong
	13	top 1000
wrathextreme anger She could hardly contain her wrath when she learned he had betrayed her.more Show sample from book XI THEN from the moorland, by misty crags, with God's wrath laden, Grendel came.†12 more Show general definition extreme anger or angry punishment
	10	top 500
haughtyarrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important) It is a story about a haughty princess who has a great fall.more Show sample from book Ne'er heard I of host in haughtier throng more graciously gathered round giver-of-rings!†9 more
	9	top 1000
loathehate I make New Year's resolutions every year and then loathe myself for breaking them.more Show sample from book The mighty chief, atheling excellent, unblithe sat, labored in woe for the loss of his thanes, when once had been traced the trail of the fiend, spirit accurst: too cruel that sorrow, too long, too loathsome.†8 more loathe → loathsome:disgusting or very bad Show general definition hate, detest, or intensely dislike Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loathe with loath which sounds very similar or the same. Loathe is a verb while loath is an adjective describing "reluctance or unwillingness to do something." Note that loathing and loathsome are forms of the verb loathe even though both word forms lack the "e". Occasionally, you will see loath spelled as loathe even in a published book, but it is rare enough that it is generally considered an error rather than a non-standard spelling.
	10
valorcourage (exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle) She received a medal for valor.more Show sample from book He was the mightiest man of valor in that same day of this our life, stalwart and stately.†9 more exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle Show general definition exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger -- especially in battle
	8	top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more Show sample from book XL A PERILOUS path, it proved, he {40a} trod who heinously hid, that hall within, wealth under wall!†7 more peril → perilous:dangerous Show general definition danger
	8
heathenheathen → heathens:people who do not believe in Christianity The crusaders called them heathens and they called the crusaders infidels.more Show sample from book Whiles they vowed in their heathen fanes altar-offerings, asked with words {2e} that the slayer-of-souls would succor give them for the pain of their people.†7 more someone who is not civilized or not moral OR an offensive term for a person who does not believe in a preferred religion Show general definition an often offensive (sometimes humorous) word for someone seen as uncivilized or immoral, especially because she does not share the speaker’s religion or comes from a culture unfamiliar with it Show editor's word notes This word is usually judgmental or insulting, so today it is used mostly in joking contexts or when describing older attitudes.
	8	top 2000
deemedbelieved or judged The producer deemed her too old to play the role.more Show sample from book XII NOT in any wise would the earls'—defence {12a} suffer that slaughterous stranger to live, useless deeming his days and years to men on earth.†7 more deemed → deeming:believing or judging
	8	top 2000
exileeviction from one's home country She fled Tibet and is living in exile in India.more Show sample from book 'Tis plain that for prowess, not plunged into exile, for high-hearted valor, Hrothgar ye seek!†7 more to force someone to live outside of their homeland… Show general definition to force someone to live outside of their homeland; or living in such a condition or more rarely: voluntary absence from a place someone would rather be
	7	top 2000
refugesafe place The park serves as a refuge for wildlife.more Show sample from book To Beowulf over them both then gave the refuge-of-Ingwines right and power, o'er war-steeds and weapons: wished him joy of them.†6 more something giving protection or comfort -- especially a safe place Show general definition something giving protection or comfort -- especially a safe place
	7	top 2000
pactagreement The two countries signed a non-aggression pact.more Show sample from book Pact of peace they plighted further on both sides firmly.†6 more an agreement between parties Show general definition an agreement between parties
	5	top 1000
heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness. Show sample from book Almighty they knew not, Doomsman of Deeds and dreadful Lord, nor Heaven's-Helmet heeded they ever, Wielder-of-Wonder.†4 more heed → heeded:paid close attention to; or did what was suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	13
strifeviolent conflict The region suffers from violent religious strife.†more Show sample from book O'er the roof of the helmet high, a ridge, wound with wires, kept ward o'er the head, lest the relict-of-files {15c} should fierce invade, sharp in the strife, when that shielded hero should go to grapple against his foes.†12 more violent conflict or angry disagreement Show general definition violent conflict or angry disagreement
	10
blithecarefree and happy She spoke with blithe ignorance of the true situation.more Show sample from book Oft minstrels sang blithe in Heorot.†9 more Show general definition carefree and happy -- often unaware of or ignoring something that should be of concern
	5	top 1000
loathreluctant or unwilling She is loath to admit a mistake.more Show sample from book No living man, or lief or loath, from your labor dire could you dissuade, from swimming the main.†4 more reluctant or unwilling to do something Show general definition reluctant or unwilling to do something Show editor's word notes Word Confusion: Do not confuse loath with loathe which sounds very similar or the same. Loath is typically used as an adjective while loathe is a verb that means "to dislike greatly".
	5	top 2000
spurnspurn → spurned:rejected She spurned his advances.more Show sample from book This boon they seek, that they, my master, may with thee have speech at will: nor spurn their prayer to give them hearing, gracious Hrothgar!†4 more reject as not good enough Show general definition reject as not good enough
	4	top 2000
hinderhinder → hindered:delayed or made difficult Her efforts to turn the department around were further hindered by budgetary cuts.more Show sample from book Him I might not — the Maker willed not —hinder from flight, and firm enough hold the life-destroyer: too sturdy was he, the ruthless, in running!†3 more slowed down or caused problems for Show general definition for hinder (as in: hindered by) slow down or cause problems for
	4
unrequitedunreturned It's a sad song about the heartbreak of unrequited love.more Show sample from book I ween with good he will well requite offspring of ours, when all he minds that for him we did in his helpless days of gift and grace to gain him honor!†3 more unrequited → requite:repay or return Show context notes Today, unrequited is used much more commonly than forms of requite. You'll probably learn unrequited first. The prefix "un-" means not, so when it's not there, the meaning of unrequited is reversed. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky. Show general definition not returned (typically of feelings -- as in unrequited love)