Hypertext Webster Gateway: "sharpen"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Sharpen \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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Sharpen \Sharp"en\, v. i.
To grow or become sharp.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
sharpen
v 1: make sharp or sharper; "sharpen the knives" [ant: {dull}]
2: make sharp or sharper; "We had to sharpen our arguments"
3: become sharp or sharper; "The debate sharpened"
4: put into focus; as of an image on a screen; "Please focus
the image; we cannot enjoy the movie" [syn: {focus}] [ant:
{blur}]
5: make sharp or sharper of images and sounds [ant: {soften}]
6: raise the pitch of (musical notes) [ant: {flatten}]
7: give a point to; "The candles are tapered" [syn: {taper}, {point}]
8: make more acute; as of one's senses; "This drug will sharpen
your vision" [syn: {heighten}]
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