'Whet' definitions:
Definition of 'whet'
From: WordNet
verb
Make keen or more acute; "whet my appetite" [syn: whet, quicken]
verb
Sharpen by rubbing, as on a whetstone
Definition of 'Whet'
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]
Definition of 'Whet'
From: GCIDE
- Whet \Whet\, n. [1913 Webster]
- 1. The act of whetting. [1913 Webster]
- 2. That which whets or sharpens; esp., an appetizer. "Sips, drams, and whets." --Spectator. [1913 Webster]
- Whet slate (Min.), a variety of slate used for sharpening cutting instruments; novaculite; -- called also {whetstone slate}, and oilstone. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'whet'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- accelerate,
- aculeate,
- acuminate,
- aggravate,
- agitate,
- animate,
- antepast,
- antipasto,
- aperitif,
- appetizer,
- arouse,
- awaken,
- bait,
- barb,
- beef up,
- bestir,
- blow the coals,
- blow up,
- bribe,
- canape,
- carrot,
- challenge,
- complicate,
- concentrate,
- condense,
- consolidate,
- cultivate,
- cuspidate,
- deepen,
- double,
- edge,
- encouragement,
- enhance,
- enliven,
- exacerbate,
- exaggerate,
- excite,
- exhilarate,
- fan,
- fan the flame,
- feed the fire,
- ferment,
- file,
- fillip,
- fire,
- foment,
- foretaste,
- galvanize,
- grind,
- heat,
- heat up,
- heighten,
- hone,
- hop up,
- hot up,
- impassion,
- incense,
- incentive,
- incite,
- incitement,
- inducement,
- inflame,
- infuse life into,
- instigate,
- intensify,
- interest,
- invigorate,
- invitation,
- jazz up,
- key up,
- kindle,
- lure,
- magnify,
- make complex,
- make sensitive,
- nettle,
- oilstone,
- payment,
- percentage,
- persuasive,
- pick up,
- pique,
- point,
- profit,
- provocation,
- provoke,
- put up to,
- quicken,
- rally,
- ramify,
- redouble,
- refine,
- reinforce,
- renew,
- reset,
- resuscitate,
- revive,
- reward,
- rouse,
- sensibilize,
- sensitize,
- set,
- set on,
- sharp,
- sharpen,
- sic on,
- smorgasbord,
- soup up,
- spiculate,
- spur,
- step up,
- stimulate,
- stimulation,
- stimulative,
- stimulus,
- stir,
- stir the embers,
- stir up,
- strap,
- strengthen,
- strop,
- sweetener,
- sweetening,
- taper,
- tickle,
- triple,
- wake,
- waken,
- whip up,
- work up