Ken major swags. Ken is also a masculine given name of Scottish / Scottish Gaelic origin. Ken definition: knowledge, understanding, or cognizance; mental perception. knowledge or understanding: an idea beyond one's ken. Its meaning soon broadened, however, to mean “range of vision” or “sight” on land or sea. There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun ken, two of which are labelled obsolete. Ken appeared on the English horizon in the 16th century referring to the distance bounding the range of ordinary vision at sea (about 20 miles), and would thus have been familiar to skippers in particular. It is used as a given name or as a short form of names with the letters "Ken" (like Kenneth, Kenan, Kendrick, Kendall, Kennedy, Mackenzie, Kenson, or Kenelm). The word “ken” has roots in Old English and Middle English, and its original meaning was related to knowledge, perception, and understanding. range of sight or vision. See examples of KEN used in a sentence. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. In this context, the phrase is infelicitous : ' beyond one's ken ', in its ordinary usage, means beyond one's powers of comprehension. Ken appeared on the English horizon in the 16th century referring to the distance bounding the range of ordinary vision at sea (about 20 miles), and would thus have been familiar to skippers in particular. . 2. Ken in American English (ken) noun a male given name, form of Kendall or Kenneth Sep 28, 2023 · In this article, we will delve into the origins of the word “ken” and explore its cultural and linguistic significance. Over time, the word has evolved and taken on different nuances and connotations. Aug 28, 2025 · ken (third-person singular simple present kens, present participle kennin, simple past kent, past participle kent) (transitive) To know, perceive or understand. 1. Ken definition: Perception; understanding. vftosri wfkm nfe2uhh guip tbvtfl ihadc zp wl xgg voo