kenning 1 of 2

chiefly Scottish

kenning

2 of 2

verb

present participle of ken, chiefly Scottish

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of kenning
Noun
This is a kenning that evokes a natural transition to darkness and also an unfinished human endeavor. Jonah Walters, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2024 The kenning’s true meaning lies beyond the edges of my comprehension. Jonah Walters, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2024 My favorite parts of the book are those where there's a new kenning. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 14 Apr. 2023 Most of the writers attempting to imitate Tolkien weren’t steeped in the rhythm of Old English kennings, or the spiritual yearning of chivalric romance. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2023 Weinersmith has successfully captured the spirit of this timeless story, weaving in generous amounts of alliteration and his version of Old English kennings, a compound figure of speech that replaces a common noun with two or more words that make for a more figurative than literal description. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 14 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kenning
Noun
  • Indeed, in 2023, his music earned him just shy of $200,000, about one halfpenny at a time.
    Brett Martin, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024
  • In nineteenth-century England, tailors would place old halfpennies in the pockets of a man’s new suit for good luck.
    Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2023
Noun
  • Some earbuds claim to be noise-canceling but barely block out a whisper.
    Juhi Wadia, PCMAG, 17 Mar. 2025
  • There were also controlling parents and whispers of abuse throughout the industry.
    Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • For those who don't know the back story, the pretty colors might get in the way of accurately perceiving this bike.
    Mike Hanlon, New Atlas, 23 Dec. 2024
  • All that needs to happen are people perceiving moral infractions.
    Callum Booth, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Reactivate to speed back to your beacon as a mote of pure light.
    Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • At Pasteur’s command, the lights went out, save for a cone of light that revealed floating motes of dust.
    Carl Zimmer, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Ozone is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms, which occurs naturally in small amounts in the stratosphere, protecting Earth from the sun's UV radiation, which would otherwise make the surface of our planet sterile.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
  • That's when fusion happens: the hydrogen atoms fuse, and release energy.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The lack of logic Trump’s fun-house version of justice may not matter a whit to voters, or alter even slightly their perceptions of the two major parties.
    Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025
  • The last-minute Annie Oakley act does not alter that one whit.
    The Editors, National Review, 30 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • The following content is brought to you by PCMag partners.
    StackCommerce Team (Sponsored), PCMAG, 6 Jan. 2025
  • The striker joined Frankfurt on a free transfer from Nantes in 2022 following the expiration of his contract, having scored 23 times in 87 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.
    David Ornstein, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Place the chips in a colander lined with wax paper and give them a strong dash of sea salt before serving.
    Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The new record will also feature dashes of R&B, Afrobeats and dancehall, further cementing Nailah as one of the most limitless and versatile artists of her class.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Kenning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kenning. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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