GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 4 definitions

1.       
   Keen (kēn), a. [Compar. Keener (kēnˈẽr); superl. Keenest.] [OE. kene sharp, bold, AS. cēne bold; akin to D. koen, OHG. kuoni, G. kühn, OSw. kyn, kön, Icel. kænn, for kœnn wise; perh. akin to E. ken, can to be able. √45.]
   1. Sharp; having a fine edge or point; as, “a keen razor, or a razor with a keen edge”.
   
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   A bow he bare and arwes [arrows] bright and kene. Chaucer.
   
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   That my keen knife see not the wound it makes. Shak.
   
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   2. Acute of mind; sharp; penetrating; having or expressing mental acuteness; as, “a man of keen understanding; a keen look; keen features.”
   
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   To make our wits more keen. Shak.
   
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   Before the keen inquiry of her thought. Cowper.
   
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   3. Bitter; piercing; acrimonious; cutting; stinging; severe; as, “keen satire or sarcasm”.
   
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   Good father cardinal, cry thou amen
   
   To my keen curses. Shak.
   
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   4. Piercing; penetrating; cutting; sharp; -- applied to cold, wind, etc.; as, “a keen wind; the cold is very keen.”
   
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   Breasts the keen air, and carols as he goes. Goldsmith.
   
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   5. Eager; vehement; fierce; as, “a keen appetite”. “Of full kene will.”  Piers Plowman.
   
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   So keen and greedy to confound a man. Shak.
   
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   6. Wonderful; delightful; marvelous; as, “that would be keen”. [slang]
   
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   ☞ 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.
   
   Syn. -- Prompt; eager; ardent; sharp; acute; cutting; penetrating; biting; severe; sarcastic; satirical; piercing; shrewd.
   
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2.       
   Keen, v. t. To sharpen; to make cold. [R.]
   
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   Cold winter keens the brightening flood. Thomson.
   
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3.       
   Keen, n. [Ir. caoine.] A prolonged wail for a deceased person.  Cf. Coranach. [Ireland]  Froude.
   
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4.       
   Keen, v. i. To wail as a keener does. [Ireland]
   
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