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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Whet


WHET, verb transitive preterit tense and participle passive whetted or whet [G.]

1. To rub for the purpose of sharpening, as an edge tool; to sharpen by attrition; as, to whet a sythe or an ax.

2. To provoke; to excite; to stimulate; as, to whet the appetite.

3. To provoke; to make angry or acrimonious.

Since Cassius first did whet me against Cesar, I have not slept.

To whet on or whet forward, to urge on; to instigate. [Not used nor proper.]

WHET, noun

1. The act of sharpening by friction.

2. Something that provokes or stimulates the appetite; as sips, drams and whets.