Need a word that can encompass all that one perceives, understands, or knows? It’s just ken. Of course, whether someone is a president, writer, physicist, diplomat, journalist, or even a stereotypical Barbie,.
In this context, the phrase is infelicitous : ' beyond one's ken ', in its ordinary usage, means beyond one's powers of comprehension.
KEN definition: knowledge, understanding, or cognizance; mental perception. See examples of ken used in a sentence.
1. knowledge or understanding: an idea beyond one's ken. 2. range of sight or vision.
Ken in American English (ken) noun a male given name, form of Kendall or Kenneth
There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun ken, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
Definition of ken noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Apr 21, 2025 · Explore the slang meaning of 'ken', its historical roots, and how it's used in contemporary communication. Understand its impact, statistics, and cultural significance in today's linguistic.
The term “ken” originates from the Middle English “kennen” meaning ‘to know, perceive, or understand’. It traces back to the Old English “cennan” (‘make known’) and has Proto-Germanic roots in the form.
beyond someone's ken : not within the range of what someone knows or understands
