Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Keen
Keen
(kēn)
, Adj.
[
Com
par.
Keener
(kēn′ẽr)
; sup
erl.
Keenest
.] [OE.
kene
sharp, bold, AS. cēne
bold; akin to D. koen
, OHG. kuoni
, G. kühn
, OSw. kyn
, kön
, Icel. kænn
, for kœnn
wise; perh. akin to E. ken
, can
to be able. √45.] 1.
Sharp; having a fine edge or point;
as, a
. keen
razor, or a razor with a keen
edgeA bow he bare and arwes [arrows] bright and
kene
. Chaucer.
That my
keen
knife see not the wound it makes. Shakespeare
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
. Shakespeare
Before the
keen
inquiry of her thought. Cowper.
3.
Bitter; piercing; acrimonious; cutting; stinging; severe;
as,
. keen
satire or sarcasmGood father cardinal, cry thou amen
To my
To my
keen
curses. Shakespeare
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;
“Of full kene will.” as, a
. keen
appetitePiers Plowman.
So
keen
and greedy to confound a man. Shakespeare
Syn. – Prompt; eager; ardent; sharp; acute; cutting; penetrating; biting; severe; sarcastic; satirical; piercing; shrewd.
Keen
,Verb.
T.
To sharpen; to make cold.
[R.]
Cold winter
keens
the brightening flood. Thomson.
Keen
,Verb.
I.
To wail as a keener does.
[Ireland]
Webster 1828 Edition
Keen
KEEN
, a.1.
Eager; vehement; as hungry curs too keen at the sport. The sheep were so keen on the acorns--
2.
Eager; sharp; as a keen appetite.3.
Sharp; having a very fine edge; as a keen razor, or a razor with a keen edge. We say a keen edge, but a sharp point.4.
Piercing; penetrating; severe; applied to cold or to wind; as a keen wind; the cold is very keen.5.
Bitter; piercing; acrimonious; as keen satire or sarcasm. Good father cardinal, cry thou amen,
To my keen curses.
KEEN
,Verb.
T.