Which of these is a kenning?

Question

Which of these is a kenning?

A. salt-stream
B. lovely ornaments
C. mead-hall
D. oaths you swore

I chose A. Salt-stream Am I correct?

Answer 1

Yes, I think so. I'm not sure what a salt-stream is. "Kenning" has more than one meaning.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kenning

The Oxford dictionary defines it this way, which is what I think you're looking for:

ken·ning1.

[ˈkeniNG]

NOUN

1.a compound expression in Old English and Old Norse poetry with metaphorical meaning, e.g., oar-steed = ship.

Answer 2

Yes, you are correct! "Salt-stream" is a kenning, which is a metaphorical expression used in Old English and Old Norse poetry. A kenning combines two or more words to create a figurative description of something. In this case, "salt-stream" is a kenning for the sea or the ocean. Well done!

Answer 3

Yes, you are correct! A kenning is a figurative expression used in Old English and Old Norse poetry to describe something in a more indirect or creative way. A kenning typically consists of two words that are combined to represent a single concept or object. In this case, "salt-stream" is a kenning because it combines the words "salt" and "stream" to describe the sea or ocean. Well done!