Jastrow: כני

כני, כָּנָה , Pi. כִּנָּה, כִּינָּה (b. h., v. כֵּן I) 1) to qualify, define; to surname, to nickname; to modify an expression, circumscribe; to compare. B. Mets. 58ᵇ המְכַנֶּה שם רע וכ׳ he who calls his neighbor by a nickname. Shebu. 36ᵃ כַּנֵּה circumscribe (use the third person as euphemism). Sifré Num. 84, a. fr. כי׳ הכתוב the Bible modifies the expression (to avoid anthropomorphism, e.g. Zech. II, 12 עינו for עיני). Meg. IV, 9 המבנה בעריות he who modifies (symbolizes) in translating the laws of incest (e.g. Lev. XVIII, 7, ‘uncover not thy parents’ weakness or disgrace’). Yalk. Num. 771, v. פּוֹלְיָיטוֹן; a. fr. Part. pass. מְכוּנֶּה. Tanḥ. Ki Thissa 17 (ref. to באדם, Ps. LXVIII, 19) מכ׳ משה באדם (not לאדם) the name of Moses is here disguised by the substitute Adam.—[Yalk. Ps. 832 מכונה, v. כָּנַן.]