1. plural of kenning; poetic or metaphorical compound expressions used in Old English and Old Norse literature to describe something indirectly
Usage: literary; archaic; often used in the study of medieval literature
2. plural of kenning; instances of knowing or recognizing something; knowledge or understanding
Usage: archaic; rare in modern usage

Examples

• The poem uses kennings like 'whale-road' to refer to the sea.
• In Beowulf, kennings are common poetic devices that add richness to the language.
• Medieval scholars study kennings to understand Old Norse literary traditions.
• The author employed kennings throughout the epic to create vivid imagery.
• Understanding kennings is essential for reading Old English poetry.