whetted

1 definition found

whetted - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Whet \Whet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whetted; p. pr. & vb. n.
     Whetting.] [AS. hwettan; akin to D. wetten, G. wetzen, OHG.
     wezzen, Icel. hvetja, Sw. v[aum]ttja, and AS. hw[ae]t
     vigorous, brave, OS. hwat, OHG. waz, was, sharp, Icel. hvatr,
     bold, active, Sw. hvass sharp, Dan. hvas, Goth. hwassaba
     sharply, and probably to Skr. cud to impel, urge on.]
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     1. To rub or on with some substance, as a piece of stone, for
        the purpose of sharpening; to sharpen by attrition; as, to
        whet a knife.
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              The mower whets his scythe.           --Milton.
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              Here roams the wolf, the eagle whets his beak.
                                                    --Byron.
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     2. To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate;
        as, to whet the appetite or the courage.
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              Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,
              I have not slept.                     --Shak.
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     To whet on, To whet forward, to urge on or forward; to
        instigate. --Shak.
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