abysm of time a reference to the hellish chaos, the unfathomable chasm that spawned Grendel's mother and other descendants of Cain.
Ring-Danes the Scyldings.
Ingwines another name for the Scyldings.
Yrmenlaf a Dane, Aeschere's younger brother.
rune-counselor an advisor especially adept at solving difficult problems.
unsouled The soul was believed to leave the body shortly after death.
bone-house a kenning for the body.
venom-twigs Some scholars suggest that Hrunting's edge was equipped with small, sharp points to which poison may have been applied; more likely, this is a reference to the use of acid (poison) in the shaping of the points during manufacture, a customary procedure of the time.
son of Ecglaf Unferth.
Hrethel father of King Hygelac, the Geat to whom Beowulf owes ultimate allegiance.
