Sharp

biographical name

ˈshärp 

Phillip Allen 1944–     American biologist

Kids Definition

sharp

1 of 4 adjective

ˈshärp 

1

a

: having a thin keen edge or fine point

a sharp knife

b

: briskly cold : nipping

sharp biting wind

2

a

: alert in understanding : quick-witted

a sharp student

b

: having very good ability to see or hear

you have sharp eyes

c

: keen in attention to one's own interest sometimes to the point of being dishonest

a sharp customer

3

a

: full of activity or energy : brisk

keep up a sharp pace

b

: eager

a sharp appetite

4

a

: curt, angry

a sharp reply

b

: causing intense mental or physical distress

a sharp pain

sharp criticism

5

: having a strong odor or flavor

sharp cheese

6

a

: ending in a point or edge

sharp features

sharp mountain peaks

b

: involving an abrupt change

a sharp turn

a sharp drop in the temperature

c

: clear in outline or detail : distinct

a sharp image

d

: set forth with clarity and distinctness

sharp contrast

7

a

: higher by a half step than the pitch of the note indicated by the letter name

b

: higher than the true pitch

8

: stylish, dressy

sharply adverb

sharpness noun

sharp

2 of 4 adverb

1

: in a sharp manner : sharply

sang sharp

2

: at an exact time

arrive by four o'clock sharp

sharp

3 of 4 noun

1

: a musical note or tone one half step higher than the note or tone indicated by the letter name

also : a character ♯ on a line or space of the staff indicating such a note or tone

2

: a needle with a small eye for sewing by hand

sharp

4 of 4 verb

1

: to raise in pitch especially by a half step

2

: to sing or play above the true pitch

Medical Definition

sharp

noun

ˈshärp 

: a medical instrument (as a scalpel, lancet, or syringe needle) that is sharp or may produce sharp pieces by shattering

As I passed the hemostat, the needle clipped my glove and my skin … I then disposed of the sharp and tried to force bleeding.

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

—usually used in plural

It is no longer legal to dispose of sharps in the regular trash, Health Director Jeanne M. Galloway said in announcing the new collection station.

—Angela Carbone, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican