Whet



GRE 蓝宝 Barron

解释

GRE 红宝书

• v.磨快; 刺激
• ［英］ v.磨快 ( to sharpen) ; 刺激 ( excite, stimulate)
• ［类］ 反义词: blunt ( 弄钝)
• ［记］ 和what一起记: whet the knife for what?
• ［例］ whet a knife / whet one's interest ( 刺激兴趣)

Webster Collegiate

I. transitive verb (whetted; whetting)

• Etymology: Middle English whetten, from Old English hwettan; akin to Old High German wezzen to whet, waz sharp
• Date: before 12th century
• 1. to sharpen by rubbing on or with something (as a stone) <whet a knife>
• 2. to make keen or more acute ; excite, stimulate <whet the appetite><whetted her curiosity>
• ? whetter noun

II. noun

• Date: circa 1628
• 1. dialect
  • a. a spell of work done with a scythe between the time it is sharpened and the time it needs to be sharpened again
  • b. time, while
• 2. something that sharpens or makes keen:
  • a. goad, incitement
  • b. appetizer; also a drink of liquor

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