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sharpen - 4 dictionary results

sharp⋅en

[shahr-puhn]
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
to make or become sharp or sharper.

Origin:
1400–50; late ME; see sharp, -en 1


sharp⋅en⋅er, noun
sharp·en   (shär'pən)   
tr. & intr.v.   sharp·ened, sharp·en·ing, sharp·ens
To make or become sharp or sharper.
sharp'en·er n.

Sharpen

Sharp"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sarpened; p. pr. & vb. n. Sharpening.] [See Sharp, a.] To make sharp. Specifically: (a) To give a keen edge or fine point to; to make sharper; as, to sharpen an ax, or the teeth of a saw. (b) To render more quick or acute in perception; to make more ready or ingenious.

The air . . . sharpened his visual ray To objects distant far. --Milton.

He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. --Burke. (c) To make more eager; as, to sharpen men's desires.

Epicurean cooks Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite. --Shak. (d) To make more pungent and intense; as, to sharpen a pain or disease. (e) To make biting, sarcastic, or severe. "Sharpen each word." --E. Smith. (f) To render more shrill or piercing.

Inclosures not only preserve sound, but increase and sharpen it. --Bacon. (g) To make more tart or acid; to make sour; as, the rays of the sun sharpen vinegar. (h) (Mus.) To raise, as a sound, by means of a sharp; to apply a sharp to.

Sharpen

Sharp"en\, v. i. To grow or become sharp.
Language Translation for : sharpen
Spanish: afilar, sacar punta a,
German: spitzen,
Japanese: 鋭くする
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