to give the whetstone

1 definition found

to give the whetstone - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Whetstone \Whet"stone`\, n. [AS. hwetst[=a]n.]
     A piece of stone, natural or artificial, used for whetting,
     or sharpening, edge tools.
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           The dullness of the fools is the whetstone of the wits.
                                                    --Shak.
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           Diligence is to the understanding as the whetstone to
           the razor.                               --South.
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     Note: Some whetstones are used dry, others are moistened with
           water, or lubricated with oil.
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     To give the whetstone, to give a premium for extravagance
        in falsehood. [Obs.]
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