keen

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Alternative spellings 1.2.2 Adjective 1.2.2.1 Translations 1.2.2.2 Synonyms 1.2.2.3 Derived terms 1.2.2.4 Usage notes 1.2.3 Verb 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Noun 1.3.2 Verb 1.3.2.1 Related terms

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: [kiːn]
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -iːn
• Homophones: Keane, Keene

[edit] Etymology 1

Old English cēne 'bold, brave' < Proto-Germanic *kōnjaz

[edit] Alternative spellings

• keene. kene (archaic)

[edit] Adjective

keen (comparative keener, superlative keenest)

1. Sharp; having a fine edge or point; as, a keen razor, or a razor with a keen edge.

   "A bow he bare and arwes [arrows] bright and kene." -Chaucer.

   "That my keen knife see not the wound it makes." -Shak.

2. Acute of mind; sharp; penetrating; having or expressing mental acuteness; as, a man of keen understanding; a keen look; keen features.

   "To make our wits more keen." -Shak.

   "Before the keen inquiry of her thought." -Cowper.

3. Bitter; piercing; acrimonious; cutting; stinging; severe; as, keen satire or sarcasm.

   "Good father cardinal, cry thou amen to my keen curses." -Shak.

4. Piercing; penetrating; cutting; sharp; -- applied to cold, wind, etc,; as, a keen wind; the cold is very keen.

   "Breasts the keen air, and carols as he goes." -Goldsmith.

5. Eager; vehement; fierce; as, a keen appetite.

   "Of full keen will." -Piers Plowman.

   "So keen and greedy to confound a man." -Shak.

[edit] Translations

• German: begeistert, eifrig, verwegen

[edit] Synonyms

• prompt; eager; ardent; sharp; acute; cutting; penetrating; biting; severe; sarcastic; satirical; piercing; shrewd.
• See also Wikisaurus:intelligent

[edit] Derived terms

• keen-witted
• keen as mustard
• keen on
• keenly
• keenness

[edit] Usage notes

Keen is often used in the composition of words, most of which are of obvious signification; as, keen-edged, keen-eyed, keen-sighted, keen-witted, etc.

[edit] Verb

to keen (third-person singular simple present keens, present participle keening, simple past and past participle keened)

1. (transitive, rare) To sharpen; to make cold.

   "Cold winter keens the brightening flood." -Thomson.

[edit] Etymology 2

Irish caoin 'keen, weep, cry'

[edit] Noun

keen (plural keens)

1. A prolonged wail for a deceased person.

[edit] Verb

to keen (third-person singular simple present keens, present participle keening, simple past and past participle keened)

1. (Irish, intransitive) To utter a keen.

[edit] Related terms

• keener