kenning

[ ken-ing ]

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.”

kenning

/ 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"

Word History and Origins

Origin of kenning¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of kenning¹

C14: from Old Norse, from kenna; see ken

Example Sentences

He was the first to recognize the significance of kenning, metaphor, and compound.

From Project Gutenberg

Thorkelin knew nothing of the peculiar style of Old English poetry; he could recognize neither kenning, metaphor, nor compound.

From Project Gutenberg

The mariners of Dartmouth accompt this to be about a kenning from Plimmouth.

From Project Gutenberg

To think of me telling ye about the leddy, and you kenning a the time wha the bairn was.

From Project Gutenberg

There's things it's best to put off kenning as long as we can.

From Project Gutenberg