1. the range of knowledge or understanding; what one knows or is aware of
Usage: often used in the phrase 'beyond one's kenning' (beyond one's knowledge or understanding); somewhat archaic or literary
2. a poetic or metaphorical phrase used to describe something without naming it directly
Usage: literary and historical term; common in Old Norse and Old English poetry

1. to know or understand
Usage: archaic or dialectal; chiefly Scottish and Northern English

Examples

• The ancient ritual was beyond the kenning of modern scholars.
• In Old Norse poetry, 'whale-road' is a kenning for the sea.
• She had no kenning of the danger that lay ahead.
• The poet used a kenning to describe the sun as 'day's eye.'
• It is beyond my kenning how he managed to escape.
• He did not ken the stranger who approached him at the market.