Kenning is a figurative language device used in Old English and Old Norse poetry, where a phrase or compound word is used to describe a person, place, or thing indirectly. Kennings are often made up of two words, frequently nouns, that together create a poetic image and add to the overall effect of the poem.
"Wavewalker" is a kenning for "ship" or "sailor" as it evokes the image of a ship moving through the waves. Other examples of kennings include:
* "whale-road" for "sea"
* "battle-sweat" for "blood"
* "bone-house" for "body"
Kennings are a hallmark of Anglo-Saxon poetry and contribute to its rich imagery and complex vocabulary.