Whetting

Whetting
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["a]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.] [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster]

The mower whets his scythe. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

Here roams the wolf, the eagle whets his beak. --Byron. [1913 Webster]

2. To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate; as, to whet the appetite or the courage. [1913 Webster]

Since Cassius first did whet me against C[ae]sar, I have not slept. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{To whet on}, {To whet forward}, to urge on or forward; to instigate. --Shak. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • whet — whetter, n. /hwet, wet/, v., whetted, whetting, n. v.t. 1. to sharpen (a knife, tool, etc.) by grinding or friction. 2. to make keen or eager; stimulate: to whet the appetite; to whet the curiosity. n. 3. the act of whetting. 4. something that… …   Universalium

  • whet — /wɛt / (say wet) verb (t) (whetted, whetting) 1. to sharpen (a knife, tool, etc.) by grinding or friction. 2. to make keen or eager: to whet the appetite; to whet the curiosity. –noun 3. the act of whetting. 4. something that whets; an appetiser …  

  • whet — [hwet, wet] vt. whetted, whetting [ME whetten < OE hwettan, to make keen < hwæt, sharp, keen, bold < IE base * kwed , to pierce, sharpen, whet > prob. L (tri)quetrus, (three )cornered] 1. to sharpen by rubbing or grinding (the edge of …   English World dictionary

  • whet — v. & n. v.tr. (whetted, whetting) 1 sharpen (a scythe or other tool) by grinding. 2 stimulate (the appetite or a desire, interest, etc.). n. 1 the act or an instance of whetting. 2 a small quantity stimulating one s appetite for more. Derivatives …   Useful english dictionary

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