a. dial. Also 8 -spack, 9 -spec, -spac. [Origin obscure: the form agrees with Norw. kjennespak, Sw. känspak, quick at recognizing persons or things (cf. ON. kennispeki faculty of recognition); but the change from the active to a passive sense makes difficulties. Some have suggested confusion with conspicuous, but evidence is wanting. Kenspecked is given by Skinner (1671), and Ray (1674), and in Craven and other Northern glossaries.] = next.
1590. Sir T. Cockaine, Hunting, D j. The most Buckes haue some kenspeck marke to knowe them by vpon their heads.
1715. Thoresby, Leeds, in Craven Dial. A convention at some noted oak, or to use a local word, kenspack ake.
1841. De Quincey, Homer, Wks. 1857, VI. 375. The Homeric metre … is certainly kenspeck, to use a good old English word—that is, recognisable.
1855. Robinson, Whitby Gloss., s.v., ‘As kenspac as a cock on a church broach.’
