as in halfpenny
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as in fathoming
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Recent Examples of kenning
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
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
-
There’s a whisper of floral elegance, balanced with earthy depth, giving it a versatile and refined character.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
-
After ten years of whispers, gossip, and speculation, the women finally start to open up about what has been painfully obvious to any faithful watcher of this show: Karen has been struggling with an alcohol problem that has recently gotten out of control.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
3 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
-
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
-
Slowly, surely, one mote of black dust at a time, tires are leaving their mark on the environment.—
Tim Stevens,
The Verge,
17 Nov. 2023
Noun
-
The modern description of the atom can trace its roots to the invention of the prism and the spreading of the solar spectrum into its composite colors, which led to the identification of discrete energy levels in an atom and, finally, the development of quantum mechanics.—
Jayson Stewart,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Organic compounds contain carbon atoms and are typically derived from living organisms, while inorganic compounds do not have carbon atoms and generally originate from nonliving sources.—
Aliasger K. Salem,
The Conversation,
25 Feb. 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
-
To incorporate a dash of '80s nostalgia into your space in an affordable way, Stark suggests adding a few accent pieces such as a stylish side chair or unique lamp.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Top with matcha and a dash of pumpkin pie spice and enjoy.—
Lauryn Jiles,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kenning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kenning. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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