kenning

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.

The cicatricula or tread of an egg. Also kinning.

In Old Norse, Anglo-Saxon, and other old Teutonic poetry, a distinctive poetical name, usually periphrastic in form, used in addition to, or substituted for, the usual name of a thing or person.

Sight; view; especially, a distant view at sea.

Range or extent of vision, especially at sea; hence, a marine measure of about twenty miles.

As little as one can recognize or discriminate; a small portion; a little: as, put in a kenning of salt.

Range of sight.

The limit of vision at sea, being a distance of about twenty miles.

The tread of an egg; cicatricula.

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’.