kenningalíkön
kenningalíkön are a poetic device found in Old Norse and Old English literature, particularly prominent in skaldic poetry. The term "kenningalíkön" itself is an Old Norse word, roughly translating to "kenning-like" or "kenning-simile." They are a type of metaphor where one noun is replaced by a compound phrase that describes it indirectly. While distinct from a true kenning, which typically uses a genitive construction (e.g., "whale-road" for the sea), kenningalíkön often employ a descriptive phrase that functions similarly to a kenning by offering an evocative alternative.
These devices can be seen as a more elaborate form of periphrasis, aiming to enrich the poetic