kenning

American  

[ken-ing] / ˈkɛn ɪŋ /

noun

1. a conventional poetic phrase used for or in addition to the usual name of a person or thing, especially in Icelandic and Anglo-Saxon verse, as “a wave traveler” for “a boat.”

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kenning British  

/ ˈkɛnɪŋ /

noun

1. a conventional metaphoric name for something, esp in Old Norse and Old English poetry, such as Old English bānhūs (bone house) for "body"

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Etymology

Origin of kenning

First recorded in 1880–85; from Old Norse: literally “teaching, doctrine, poetic periphrasis”; see origin at ken, -ing ¹

Explanation

A kenning, in literature, is a word or phrase that is a metaphor for something simpler. Calling a ship a "sea-steed," for example, is a kenning. You're most likely to hear the term kenning in a literature class, especially if you happen to be studying Old Norse or Old English poetry. It's part of both literary traditions to use figurative language — often in the form of a compound word or a phrase — to represent a simple word. In Old Norse, a typical kenning is "sun of the houses" for "fire." The root is the Old Norse kenna, "know, recognize, or perceive."

Example Sentences

You're waur than her, Nanny," Sanders said roughly, "for you hae twa reasons for kenning better.

From The Little Minister by Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew)

Judith: What’s kenning got to do with love?

From Krindlesyke by Gibson, Wilfrid Wilson

He that is ill of his harbery, is good of his way kenning.

From Collection of Scotch Proverbs by Stampoy, Pappity

Bell: What’s this jackadandy, That you and Phœbe, both—and kenning him!

From Krindlesyke by Gibson, Wilfrid Wilson

I asked, maybe a kenning sharper than ordinary.

From Bog-Myrtle and Peat Tales Chiefly of Galloway Gathered from the Years 1889 to 1895 by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)