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whet
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3 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. whet
  2. whet slate
  3. saw-whet owl

1whet

transitive verb \ˈhwet, ˈwet\
whet·tedwhet·ting

Definition of WHET

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>
— whet·ter noun

Examples of WHET

  1. We had some wine to whet our appetites.
  2. The ads are trying to whet booksellers' interest.

Origin of WHET

Middle English whetten, from Old English hwettan; akin to Old High German wezzen to whet, waz sharp
First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WHET

Synonyms
edge, grind, hone, stone, strop, sharpen
Antonyms
blunt, dull

Rhymes with WHET

bet, debt, fret, get, het, jet, let, Lett, met, net, pet, ret, set, stet, sweat, Tet, threat, vet, wet, yet

2whet

noun

Definition of WHET

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

First Known Use of WHET

circa 1628

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

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: to overwhelm with shock,
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