3 definitions found
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 1.6 [wn]:
sharpen
v 1: make sharp or sharper, as of 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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