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.
Sharp"en, v. i. To grow or become
sharp.
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.
Sharp"en, v. i. To grow or become
sharp.
