About The Word Whet

Bay Area Crosswords

Learn about the word Whet to help solve your crossword puzzle. Discover Whet definitions and meaning, origins, synonyms, related terms and more at the free Crossword Dictionary.

Whet

Whet Meaning & Definition
Whet Definition And Meaning

What's The Definition Of Whet?

[v] sharpen by rubbing, as on a whetstone
[v] make keen or more acute; "whet my appetite"

Synonyms | Synonyms for Whet: quicken

Related Terms | Find terms related to Whet:

See Also | excite | sharpen | stimulate | stir

Whet In Webster's Dictionary

\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.] 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. The mower whets his scythe. --Milton. Here roams the wolf, the eagle whets his beak. --Byron. 2. To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate; as, to whet the appetite or the courage. Since Cassius first did whet me against C[ae]sar, I have not slept. --Shak. {To whet on}, {To whet forward}, to urge on or forward; to instigate. --Shak.
\Whet\, n. 1. The act of whetting. 2. That which whets or sharpens; esp., an appetizer. ``Sips, drams, and whets.'' --Spectator. {Whet slate} (Min.), a variety of slate used for sharpening cutting instruments; novaculite; -- called also {whetstone slate}, and {oilstone}.

More Crossword Puzzle Words

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Cross Word Of The Day

  • Robed ‐ dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination;…
  • Maxillary ‐ of or relating to the…
  • Sea chub ‐ schooling fishes mostly of Indian and western Pacific oceans;…
  • Harmonious ‐ existing together in harmony; "harmonious family relationships"…
  • Hospitably ‐ in a hospitable manner; "she was received hospitably by her new…
  • Supervisory program ‐ a program that controls the execution of…
  • Ouranopithecus ‐ a genus of…
  • Xerophyte ‐ plant adapted for life with a limited supply of water; compare…
  • Negatively ‐ in a negative way; "he was negatively inclined" [adv] in a harmful…
  • Loved ‐ held dear; "his loved companion of…