Keenest

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Keen \Keen\ (k[=e]n), a. [Compar. {Keener} (k[=e]n"[~e]r);
     superl. {Keenest}.] [OE. kene sharp, bold, AS. c[=e]ne bold;
     akin to D. koen, OHG. kuoni, G. k["u]hn, OSw. kyn, k["o]n,
     Icel. k[ae]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.
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              A bow he bare and arwes [arrows] bright and kene.
                                                    --Chaucer.
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              That my keen knife see not the wound it makes.
                                                    --Shak.
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     2. Acute of mind; sharp; penetrating; having or expressing
        mental acuteness; as, a man of keen understanding; a keen
        look; keen features.
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              To make our wits more keen.           --Shak.
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              Before the keen inquiry of her thought. --Cowper.
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     3. Bitter; piercing; acrimonious; cutting; stinging; severe;
        as, keen satire or sarcasm.
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              Good father cardinal, cry thou amen
              To my keen curses.                    --Shak.
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     4. Piercing; penetrating; cutting; sharp; -- applied to cold,
        wind, etc.; as, a keen wind; the cold is very keen.
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              Breasts the keen air, and carols as he goes.
                                                    --Goldsmith.
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     5. Eager; vehement; fierce; as, a keen appetite. "Of full
        kene will." --Piers Plowman.
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              So keen and greedy to confound a man. --Shak.
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     6. Wonderful; delightful; marvelous; as, that would be keen.
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     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.
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