What is a kenning in beowulf?

A kenning in Beowulf is a metaphorical phrase or compound word used in Old English poetry to describe objects, people, or concepts. It often combines two words or phrases to create a new, metaphorical meaning. In Beowulf, kennings are used extensively to describe characters, such as "battle-sweat" for blood, "whale-road" for sea, and "ring-giver" for a king. Kennings are an important part of the poetic language of Beowulf and reflect the cultural values and traditions of the Anglo-Saxon people.