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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"
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of kenning1

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

Origin of kenning1

C14: from Old Norse, from kenna; see ken
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Example Sentences

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

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

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

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

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

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KennewickKenny