blithe
10 uses
Oft minstrels sang blithe in Heorot.†
blithe = carefree and happy
Definition
Generally blithe means:carefree and happy — often unaware of or ignoring something that should be of concern
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
contrast
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
She is praised by contrast with the antitype, Thryth, just as Beowulf was praised by contrast with Heremod.†
by contrast = in a comparison that shows differences
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
dwell
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
a modest dwelling
Then fared another year to men's dwellings, as yet they do, the sunbright skies, that their season ever duly await.†
dwellings = houses or shelters in which people live
Definition
Generally this sense of dwelling means:a house or shelter in which someone lives
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
feud
32 uses
{1b} Nor far was that day when father and son-in-law stood in feud for warfare and hatred that woke again.†
feud = a bitter, long-standing fight
Definition
Generally feud means:bitter hostile argument between two parties — typically long-standing between families or tribes with occasional incidents of violence
Word Statistics
| Book | 32 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
frayed
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
into the fray
— There woke from him such fate-sent ghosts as Grendel, who, war-wolf horrid, at Heorot found a warrior watching and waiting the fray, with whom the grisly one grappled amain.†
the fray = the fight or struggle
Definition
Generally this sense of fray means:a noisy fight, controversial debate, or other exciting situation that usually is not well organized
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
haughty
10 uses
Ne'er heard I of host in haughtier throng more graciously gathered round giver-of-rings!†
haughtier = arrogant or condescending (acting superior or self-important)
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
hoard
50 uses
Full oft for less have I largess showered, my precious hoard, on a punier man, less stout in struggle.†
hoard = gathers something valuable and stores it
Definition
Generally hoard means:to gather something valuable and store it; or a collection of such things
Word Statistics
| Book | 50 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
illustrate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
— The following is one of the classic passages for illustrating the comitatus as the most conspicuous Germanic institution, and its underlying sense of duty, based partly on the idea of loyalty and partly on the practical basis of benefits received and repaid.†
illustrating = helping make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
irrelevant
2 uses
{7a} There is no irrelevance here.†
irrelevance = the state or degree of not being relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
Definition
Generally irrelevant means:not relevant (not related to the subject being considered, or not important enough to want to consider)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
loathe
9 uses
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.†
loathsome = disgusting or very bad
Definition
Generally loathe means:hate, detest, or intensely dislike
Word Statistics
| Book | 9 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
mortal
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
mortal body
A strait path reached it, unknown to mortals.†
mortals = humans (especially merely humans) or people subject to death
Definition
Generally this sense of mortal means:human (especially merely human); or subject to death
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
nevertheless
1 use
Finn, a Frisian chieftain, who nevertheless has a "castle" outside the Frisian border, marries Hildeburh, a Danish princess; and her brother, Hnaef, with many other Danes, pays Finn a visit.†
nevertheless = in spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas)
Definition
Generally nevertheless means:in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nonetheless, all the same, still, and however.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
pact
7 uses
Pact of peace they plighted further on both sides firmly.†
pact = an agreement between parties
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
refuge
7 uses
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.†
refuge = something giving protection — especially a safe place
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 10 uses in 10 avg bks |
sage
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
sage advice
my sage adviser
sage = wise
Definition
Generally this sense of sage means:profound wisdom; or one known for being wise
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
spurn
5 uses
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!†
spurn = reject as not good enough
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
valor
10 uses
He was the mightiest man of valor in that same day of this our life, stalwart and stately.†
valor = exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger — especially in battle
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
vary
1 use
A hide in England meant about 120 acres, though "the size of the acre varied."†
varied = differed; or changed
Definition
Generally vary means:to be different, or to change
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
wrath
13 uses
XI THEN from the moorland, by misty crags, with God's wrath laden, Grendel came.†
wrath = extreme anger
Definition
Generally wrath means:extreme anger or angry punishment
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
yield
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
yield to pressure
Grim was the answer, easy to get, from the youth for those that had yielded to fear!†
yielded = gave in, gave way, or gave up
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |