keennessn.
/ˈkiːnnᵻs/, U.S. /ˈkin(n)ᵻs/ The quality of being keen; sharpness, acuteness.
1. Sharpness of edge or point.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > sharpness of edge or point > [noun]
sharpnessc725
keenness1530
fineness?1537
acuity1598
acuteness1642
eagerness1831
society > occupation and work > equipment > cutting tool > [noun] > cutting part of > blade or edge of > bite or cut of
sharpnessc725
keenness1530
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 235/2 Kenesse, sharpnesse, aspreté.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 582 The God of Fire..Immortal Keenness on the Blade bestow'd.
1833 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal II. 19 A blade..with the greatest keenness of edge.
2. Piercing severity, intensity (of heat, cold, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [noun]
brathc1175
reighshipc1275
airc1300
ragec1330
sturdinessc1384
violencea1387
fierceness1435
vehemencyc1487
furiosity1509
fiercetya1513
bremeness?1529
boistousness1530
vehemence1535
bruteness1538
violency1538
violentness1544
vehementness1561
wrath1579
fury1585
torture1605
keenness?1606
ragingness1621
stiffness1623
rapt1632
tempestuousness1648
boisterousnessa1650
rampancy1652
boisture1667
untamedness1727
paroxysm1893
storminess1894
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun] > vigour or intensity of action > force or intensity of operation or effect
strengthOE
forcec1320
vigour?a1445
forcibleness1563
accent1591
edgea1593
strongnessa1604
keenness?1606
forcefulness1825
power drive1927
kilowattage1935
wattage1964
welly1977
?1606 M. Drayton Eglog x, in Poemes sig. G6v The poor Heards..Shuddred with keennes of the winters cold.
1694 W. Salmon Pharmacopœia Bateana i. x. 670/1 It is good for any Disease proceeding from sharp Humors, because it..asswages them, taking away their keenness.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth xii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 317 Exposed to the keenness of a Scottish night in February.
a1848 R. W. Hamilton Rewards & Punishm. (1853) viii. 345 What could soften the keenness of that flame?
3. Intensity of feeling or action; eagerness, incisiveness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > intense emotion > [noun] > intensity or depth
strengthOE
deepnessc1175
inliheadc1450
profundity1565
depth1597
keenness1600
profoundness1612
poignancy1745
poignance1812
intensity1830
inwardness1836
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [noun] > vigour or intensity of action
keenness1600
emphasis1604
roundness1616
vigoura1630
vivacity1652
intensity1830
incision1862
intensiveness1892
the mind > emotion > zeal or enthusiasm > [noun]
jealoustea1382
yeverousheada1400
zeala1413
zealc1425
jealousy1436
eagernessc1450
heartinessc1475
estudy1483
fierceness1533
zealousnessc1555
zealousyc1565
edge1591
warmth1600
empressement1709
enthusiasm1717
entrain1847
impressment1854
fanaticism1855
keenness1875
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 124 No mettell can..beare halfe the keenenesse of thy sharpe enuie. View more context for this quotation
1695 J. Edwards Disc. conc. Old & New-Test. III. x. 424 This..makes him with an unwonted Keenness and Severity cry out against them.
1723 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) III. 11 Free from severity and keenness, that is ready to mix in with debates of this nature.
1875 A. Maclaren Serm. 2nd Ser. ii. 199 Youth has mostly a certain keenness of relish for life.
1878 W. E. H. Lecky Hist. Eng. 18th Cent. II. vii. 417 Abundant evidence of the keenness of the antagonism.
4. Intellectual sharpness; acuteness: shrewdness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [noun]
sharpnessc897
yepshipc1000
insightc1175
yepleȝȝcc1175
yephedea1250
wit1297
fellnessa1382
policyc1440
discerningc1450
policec1450
inspectiona1527
perceivance1534
aptitude1548
sagacity1548
acuity?1549
nimbleness1561
acumen1579
seeing eye1579
esprit1591
acuteness1601
depth1605
penetration1605
knowingness1611
shrewdnessa1616
piercingnessa1628
discernment1646
sharpwittedness1647
nasuteness1660
arguteness1662
sagaciousness1678
perceptivity1700
keenness1707
cuteness1768
intuition1780
recollectedness1796
long-headedness1818
perceptiveness1823
kokum1848
incision1862
incisiveness1865
penetrativeness1873
flair1881
hard-boiledness1912
smart1964
spikiness1977
sus1979
1707 W. Wycherley Let. to Pope in Pope's Lett. (1735) I. 27 The Keenness of the Mind soonest wears out the Body.
1828 T. Carlyle Burns in Edinb. Rev. Dec. 282 In the poetry of Burns, keenness of insight keeps pace with keenness of feeling.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. viii. 407 His meagre and wrinkled..face strongly expressed..the keenness of his parts.
1885 Manch. Examiner 4 Feb. 3/5 Severity in selection and..keenness in criticism.
5. Acuteness of the senses or organs of sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > acuteness of physical senses > [noun]
sharpnessc888
quicknessa1398
subtlenessa1398
acuteness1644
keenness1859
1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede I. i. ii. 34 There was no keenness in the eyes; they seemed rather to be shedding love than making observations.
1901 N.E.D. at Keenness Mod. Their keenness of sight is remarkable.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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