whet
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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 … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
whet — [ wet, hwet ] verb transitive if you whet a blade, you make it sharper: SHARPEN whet your appetite (for something) to increase the feeling that you want to have or do a particular thing: a TV program that will whet people s appetite for travel … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
Whet — Whet, n. [1913 Webster] 1. The act of whetting. [1913 Webster] 2. That which whets or sharpens; esp., an appetizer. Sips, drams, and whets. Spectator. [1913 Webster] {Whet slate} (Min.), a variety of slate used for sharpening cutting instruments; … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
whet — whet; whet·ten; whet·ter; … English syllables
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 — [wet] v past tense and past participle whetted present participle whetting [T] [: Old English; Origin: hwettan] 1.) whet sb s appetite (for sth) if an experience whets your appetite for something, it increases your desire for it ▪ The view from… … Dictionary of contemporary English
whet — [v1] make sharp edge, file, finish, grind, hone, sharpen, strop; concepts 137,250 Ant. blunt, dull whet [v2] arouse, excite animate, awaken, challenge, enhance, incite, increase, kindle, pique, provoke, quicken, rally, rouse, stimulate, stir,… … New thesaurus
whet on — ● whet … Useful english dictionary
whet — (v.) O.E. hwettan, from P.Gmc. *khwatjanan (Cf. O.N. hvetja to sharpen, encourage, M.L.G., M.Du. wetten, O.H.G. wezzan, Ger. wetzen to sharpen, Goth. ga hvatjan to sharpen, incite ), from an adjective represented by O.E. hwæt brave, bold, O.S.… … Etymology dictionary
whet — ► VERB (whetted, whetting) 1) sharpen the blade of (a tool or weapon). 2) excite or stimulate (someone s desire, interest, or appetite). ORIGIN Old English … English terms dictionary
