Main Entry:

¹whet

Pronunciation:

\ˈhwet, ˈwet\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

whet·ted; whet·ting

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>

— whet·ter noun