--- In norse_course@..., simonfittonbrown@... wrote:

> I'm still a little bit confused about the difference between a
> kenning and a heiti.
>
> Specifically, also, is a HEITI a word only every used in poetry and
> never in prose, even in a different meaning?

A heiti is simply a one-word synonym. In many (most?) cases
a heiti is found only in poetry or poetic/formal language.
However, various heiti carry a double meaning, and are found
both in poetry and prose. Example: ÓGN ("threat"). This is
found both in prose and poetry, meaning simply "threat". However,
it doubles as a heiti/synonym for "battle", but this meaning
would only be found in poetry.

A kenning is a totally different thing - a two-word circumlocution
like ÓÐINS VEÐR ("Odin's wind") = battle, or HJÖR-VEÐR ("sword-wind")
= battle. As opposed to the simple heiti for battle, found in the
name list in Snorri's Edda:

Þau eru heiti:
hjaldr ok rimma,
göll, geirahöð
ok geirþriful,
róg ok róma,
randgríð ok storð,
svipul ok snerra,
sig, folk, jara.

Sóta, morð ok víg,
sókn, dolg ok ógn,
dynr, gnýr, tara,
drífa, ímun.
Þá er orrosta
ok ørlygi,
hríð ok etja,
herþögn, þrima.

Regards
Pelle