Lexic.us

Definition of Sharpen

1. Verb. Make sharp or sharper. "Sharpen the knives"

2. Verb. Make crisp or more crisp and precise. "We had to sharpen our arguments"

3. Verb. Become sharp or sharper. "The debate sharpened"

4. Verb. Put (an image) into focus. "Please focus the image; we cannot enjoy the movie"

5. Verb. Make (images or sounds) sharp or sharper.

6. Verb. Raise the pitch of (musical notes).

7. Verb. Give a point to. "The candles are tapered"

8. Verb. Make (one's senses) more acute. "This drug will sharpen your vision"

Definition of Sharpen

1. v. t. To make sharp.

2. v. i. To grow or become sharp.

Definition of Sharpen

1. Verb. (transitive) To make sharp ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Sharpen

1. to make sharp [v -ED, -ING, -S] - See also: sharp

Medical Definition of Sharpen

1. To make sharp. Specifically: To give a keen edge or fine point to; to make sharper; as, to sharpen an ax, or the teeth of a saw. 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) To make more eager; as, to sharpen men's desires. "Epicurean cooks Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite." (Shak) To make more pungent and intense; as, to sharpen a pain or disease. To make biting, sarcastic, or severe. "Sharpen each word." . To render more shrill or piercing. "Inclosures not only preserve sound, but increase and sharpen it." (Bacon) To make more tart or acid; to make sour; as, the rays of the sun sharpen vinegar. To raise, as a sound, by means of a sharp; to apply a sharp to. Origin: See Sharp. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Sharpen

sharp-sightedness sharp-tailed grouse sharp-tongued sharp-witted sharp-worded sharp as a tack sharp cookie sharp practice sharp tongue sharpbill

sharpbills sharpchin flyingfish sharpe sharped sharpen (current term) sharpened sharpener sharpeners sharpeneth sharpening

sharpens sharper sharpers sharpest sharpfin sharpie sharpies sharping sharpings

Literary usage of Sharpen

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Fundamentals of Mechanical Drawing by Richard Shelton Kirby (1918)
"Keep the pen sharp and the nibs of equal length; do not, however, attempt to sharpen the pen without the Instructor's help and advice. 12. ..."

2. Wood Carving: Design and Workmanship by George Jack (1903)
"The first thing the carver will require to do is to sharpen his tools. ... 10 and sharpen that first, as it is the easiest to do, and so get a little ..."

3. Nature by Norman Lockyer (1877)
"The bases are thin deal boards painted black ; the links are neatly shaped out of thick cardboard (it is hard work making them, you have to sharpen your ..."

Other Resources: