- ken (v.)
- "to know," Scot. dial., from O.E. cennan "make known, declare, acknowledge," originally "make to know," causative of cunnan "to become acquainted with, to know" (see can (v.)). The noun meaning "range of sight" (1590) is a nautical abbreviation of kenning.
- ken (n.)
- "house where thieves meet," 1567, vagabonds' slang, probably a shortening of kennel.