Kyn (settlement)

A kyn (plural kyns) is an archaic term, primarily used in historical and fantasy contexts, referring to a small settlement, often a village or hamlet. The word implies a close-knit community, typically bound by kinship or familial ties. The term suggests a degree of self-sufficiency and a limited connection to larger urban centers. While its etymology is complex, kyn often alludes to a group of related people or families living and working together, emphasizing communal bonds and shared ancestry within the settlement. The term is less commonly used in contemporary language, except in specific historical or fictional narratives seeking to evoke a sense of tradition, small-scale community, and familial connection. The size of a kyn would typically be significantly smaller than a town or city, often consisting of just a few dozen households.