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shrewd - 4 dictionary results
shrewd
[shrood]
–adjective, -er, -est.
| 1. | astute or sharp in practical matters: a shrewd politician. |
| 2. | keen; piercing. |
| 3. | artful. |
| 4. | Archaic. malicious. |
| 5. | Obsolete. bad. |
| 6. | Obsolete. shrewish. |
Origin:
1275–1325; ME shrewed, in part repr. shrew 1 + -ed 3 (cf. dogged, wicked ); in part prob. ptp. of shrewen to curse, v. use of shrew 1 (see -ed 2 )
1275–1325; ME shrewed, in part repr. shrew 1 + -ed 3 (cf. dogged, wicked ); in part prob. ptp. of shrewen to curse, v. use of shrew 1 (see -ed 2 )

Related forms:
shrewdly, adverb
shrewdness, noun
Synonyms:
1. quick, discerning, perceptive, perspicacious, sagacious, keen; discriminating, intelligent. See acute.
1. quick, discerning, perceptive, perspicacious, sagacious, keen; discriminating, intelligent. See acute.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To shrewd
shrewd (shrōōd) adj. shrewd·er, shrewd·est
[Middle English shrewed, wicked, from shrew, rascal; see shrew.] shrewd'ly adv. Synonyms: These adjectives mean having or showing keen awareness, sound judgment, and often resourcefulness, especially in practical matters. Shrewd suggests a sharp intelligence, hardheadness, and often an intuitive grasp of practical considerations: "He was too shrewd to go along with them upon a road which could lead only to their overthrow" (J.A. Froude). |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Shrewd
Shrewd\, a. [Compar. Shrewder; superl. Shrewdest.] [Originally the p. p. of shrew, v.t.]1. Inclining to shrew; disposing to curse or scold; hence, vicious; malicious; evil; wicked; mischievous; vexatious; rough; unfair; shrewish. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [Egypt] hath many shrewd havens, because of the great rocks that ben strong and dangerous to pass by. --Sir J. Mandeville. Every of this happy number That have endured shrewd days and nights with us. --Shak. 2. Artful; wily; cunning; arch. These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues. --Shak. 3. Able or clever in practical affairs; sharp in business; astute; sharp-witted; sagacious; keen; as, a shrewd observer; a shrewd design; a shrewd reply. Professing to despise the ill opinion of mankind creates a shrewd suspicion that we have deserved it. --Secker. Syn: Keen; critical; subtle; artful; astute; sagacious; discerning; acute; penetrating. Usage: Shrewd, Sagacious. One who is shrewd is keen to detect errors, to penetrate disguises, to foresee and guard against the selfishness of others. Shrewd is a word of less dignity than sagacious, which implies a comprehensive as well as penetrating mind, whereas shrewd does not. -- Shrewd"ly, adv. -- Shrewd"ness, n.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : shrewd
Spanish:
perspicaz, astuto,
German:
schlau,
Japanese:
抜け目のない
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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