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 …

Ken definition: knowledge, understanding, or cognizance; mental perception.. See examples of KEN used in a sentence.

In this context, the phrase is infelicitous : ' beyond one's ken ', in its ordinary usage, means beyond one's powers of comprehension.

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

Oct 19, 2025 · In common usage a fossil word, found only in phrases such as beyond one’s ken and swim into one’s ken.

Ken is also a masculine given name of Scottish / Scottish Gaelic origin. It is used as a given name or as a short form of names with the letters "Ken" (like Kenneth, Kenan, Kendrick, Kendall, …

Ken definition: Perception; understanding.

19 hours ago · Ken Burns’ The American Revolution reveals the human side of America’s founding in a story both messy and magnificent.

Ken (ken), n. a male given name, form of Kendall or Kenneth. Ken., Place Names Kentucky.