kenning

(ken)

noun

  1. Scot.
    1. knowledge or recognition
    2. a tiny quantity; trace
  2. Origin: ON, symbol < kenna: see ken

    in early Germanic, as Old English, poetry, a metaphorical name, usually a compound, for something (Ex.: “whale-path” for sea)

Origin: ME: see ken

See kenning in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A figurative, usually compound expression used in place of a name or noun, especially in Old English and Old Norse poetry; for example, storm of swords is a kenning for battle.

Origin:

Origin: Old Norse

Origin: , from kenna, to know, to name with a kenning; see gnō- in Indo-European roots

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