Dictionary De - En
De - Es
De - Pt| English Dictionary: keener | by the DICT Development Group |
| 2 results for keener | |
| From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
|
Keen \Keen\ (k[emac]n), a. [Compar. {Keener} (-[etil]r); superl. {Keenest}.] [OE. kene sharp, bold, AS. c[emac]ne bold; akin to D. koen, OHG. kuoni, G. k[81]hn, OSw. kyn, k[94]n, Icel. k[91]nn, for k[oe]nn wise; perh. akin to E. ken, can to be able. [root]45. ] 1. Sharp; having a fine edge or point; as, a keen razor, or a razor with a keen edge. A bow he bare and arwes [arrows] bright and kene. --Chaucer. That my keen knife see not the wound it makes. --Shak. 2. Acute of mind; sharp; penetrating; having or expressing mental acuteness; as, a man of keen understanding; a keen look; keen features. To make our wits more keen. --Shak. Before the keen inquiry of her thought. --Cowper. 3. Bitter; piercing; acrimonious; cutting; stinging; severe; as, keen satire or sarcasm. Good father cardinal, cry thou amen To my keen curses. --Shak. 4. Piercing; penetrating; cutting; sharp; -- applied to cold, wind, etc,; as, a keen wind; the cold is very keen. Breasts the keen air, and carols as he goes. --Goldsmith. 5. Eager; vehement; fierce; as, a keen appetite. [bd]Of full kene will.[b8] --Piers Plowman. So keen and greedy to confound a man. --Shak. Note: Keen is often used in the composition of words, most of which are of obvious signification; as, keen-edged, keen-eyed, keen-sighted, keen-witted, etc. Syn: Prompt; eager; ardent; sharp; acute; cutting; penetrating; biting; severe; sarcastic; satirical; piercing; shrewd. | |
| From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
|
Keener \Keen"er\, n. A professional mourner who wails at a funeral. [Ireland] | |
