sharpen

Meanings

• verb

  Make (an edge or point) sharp or more sharp by grinding, polishing, or other means.

  - "He sharpened his knife before preparing dinner."
  - "The stoneworker spent hours sharpening the tools."

• verb

  Improve or refine (something, especially a criticism or argument) by making it clearer, more accurate, or more persuasive.

  - "The editor sharpened the article's arguments."
  - "The lawyer sharpened his cross-examination of the witness."

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Pronunciation

1. 
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89032960"

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Antonyms

blunt , blur

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Synonyms

hone , whet

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with sharpen
harpens , marpins , clapens

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Variants

List of all variants of sharpen that leads to same result
sharpen , sharpened , sharpener , sharpeners , sharpening , sharpens , sharpen up , sharpened up , sharpening up , sharpens up

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Old English scarpian; related to scarp ‘edge’, from Proto-Germanic skarpaz ‘sharp, pointed’.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'sharpen' comes from the Old English word 'scarpian', which means 'to make sharp'.

2. The process of sharpening a blade involves removing metal from the edge to create a finer, sharper edge.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. honing: A method of sharpening an edge by grinding or polishing it with an abrasive material, typically a stone.

2. polishing: A process of refining a surface by rubbing it with an abrasive material to remove scratches and create a smooth finish.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, 'sharpen' is often used metaphorically to describe the process of refining or improving an argument or idea. In art, the term 'sharpening' refers to the process of refining the details of a drawing or painting.

How to Memorize "sharpen"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize the process of sharpening a knife: Imagine the blade being slowly run against a sharpening stone, creating a fine edge.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'sharpen' with the image of a sharp knife or a refined argument.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the mnemonic 'Sharp As A Razor' to remember the meaning of 'sharpen'.

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