whetten

Middle English

/ˈʍɛtən/

verb
Definitions
  • To sharpen; to make sharp, pointy or acute, especially with a whetstone.
  • To sharpen one's claws or tusks; to prepare for attack.
  • To motivate; to encourage or cause eagerness.
  • (rare) To stimulate or increase endurance.
  • (rare) To growl or groan; to make hostile noises.
  • (rare) Of the teeth or feet; to grind against something.

Etymology

Inherited from Old English hwettan (sharpen, whet, incite, encourage) inherited from *hwattjan inherited from Proto-Germanic *hwatjaną (sharpen, incite, instigate).

Origin

Proto-Germanic

*hwatjaną

Gloss

sharpen, incite, instigate

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms