Kenning

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkÉ›nɪŋ/

From Middle English, derivative of Middle English kennen ("to know, perceive"). Compare Danish kjending ("acquaintance"). More at ken.

Full definition of kenning

Noun

1. (obsolete) Sight; view; a distant view at sea.
2. (obsolete) Range or extent of vision, especially at sea; (by extension) a marine measure of approximately twenty miles.
3. As little as one can recognise or discriminate; a small portion; a little.put in a kenning of salt

Verb

1. Present participle of ken

From ken ("to beget, bring forth").

Noun

1. The tread of an egg; cicatricula.

From Old Norse, from kenna ("know, perceive"), from Proto-Germanic *kannijanÄ…, causative of *kunnanÄ… ("to know how"). Compare can, ken, keen.

Noun

1. A metaphorical phrase used in Germanic poetry (especially Old English or Old Norse) whereby a simple thing is described in an allusive way, such as ‘whale road’ for ‘sea’, or ‘enemy of the mast’ for ‘wind’.