'To whet forward' definitions:

Definition of 'To whet forward'

From: GCIDE
  • Whet \Whet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whetted; p. pr. & vb. n. Whetting.] [AS. hwettan; akin to D. wetten, G. wetzen, OHG. wezzen, Icel. hvetja, Sw. v[aum]ttja, and AS. hw[ae]t vigorous, brave, OS. hwat, OHG. waz, was, sharp, Icel. hvatr, bold, active, Sw. hvass sharp, Dan. hvas, Goth. hwassaba sharply, and probably to Skr. cud to impel, urge on.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. To rub or on with some substance, as a piece of stone, for the purpose of sharpening; to sharpen by attrition; as, to whet a knife. [1913 Webster]
  • The mower whets his scythe. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Here roams the wolf, the eagle whets his beak. --Byron. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate; as, to whet the appetite or the courage. [1913 Webster]
  • Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • To whet on, To whet forward, to urge on or forward; to instigate. --Shak. [1913 Webster]