'Sharpen' definitions:

Definition of 'sharpen'

(from WordNet)
verb
Make sharp or sharper; "sharpen the knives" [ant: blunt, dull]
verb
Make crisp or more crisp and precise; "We had to sharpen our arguments"
verb
Become sharp or sharper; "The debate sharpened"
verb
Put (an image) into focus; "Please focus the image; we cannot enjoy the movie" [syn: focus, focalize, focalise, sharpen] [ant: blear, blur]
verb
Make (images or sounds) sharp or sharper [ant: soften]
verb
Raise the pitch of (musical notes) [ant: drop, flatten]
verb
Give a point to; "The candles are tapered" [syn: sharpen, taper, point]
verb
Make (one's senses) more acute; "This drug will sharpen your vision" [syn: sharpen, heighten]

Definition of 'Sharpen'

From: GCIDE
  • Sharpen \Sharp"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sarpened; p. pr. & vb. n. Sharpening.] [See Sharp, a.] To make sharp. Specifically: (a) To give a keen edge or fine point to; to make sharper; as, to sharpen an ax, or the teeth of a saw. (b) To render more quick or acute in perception; to make more ready or ingenious. [1913 Webster]
  • The air . . . sharpened his visual ray To objects distant far. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. --Burke. [1913 Webster] (c) To make more eager; as, to sharpen men's desires. [1913 Webster]
  • Epicurean cooks Sharpen with cloyless sauce his appetite. --Shak. [1913 Webster] (d) To make more pungent and intense; as, to sharpen a pain or disease. (e) To make biting, sarcastic, or severe. "Sharpen each word." --E. Smith. (f) To render more shrill or piercing. [1913 Webster]
  • Inclosures not only preserve sound, but increase and sharpen it. --Bacon. [1913 Webster] (g) To make more tart or acid; to make sour; as, the rays of the sun sharpen vinegar. (h) (Mus.) To raise, as a sound, by means of a sharp; to apply a sharp to. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Sharpen'

From: GCIDE
  • Sharpen \Sharp"en\, v. i. To grow or become sharp. [1913 Webster]