whetn.
/wɛt/, U.S. /(h)wɛt/ 1. An act of sharpening; transferred the interval between two sharpenings of a scythe, etc.; also figurative an occasion, turn, ‘go’. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > [noun] > a period of > specific
nooning1552
after-dinner1576
wheta1628
High Mail1676
High Mall1712
Sabbath-day1734
Blue Monday1790
noonscape1819
noon-spell1839
children's hour1853
smoke-ho1874
welting1964
the world > space > shape > sharpness of edge or point > [noun] > sharpening
sharping1398
whetting1398
sharpening1580
wheta1628
the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > [noun] > a temporary cessation of activity or operation > between two events, actions, operations, etc.
intervalc1386
intervallum1574
wheta1628
interstice1639
period1865
grace period1880
tea break1948
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > cultivation of plants or crops > harvesting > [noun] > cutting, reaping, or mowing > cutting with scythe or sickle
sickling1598
wheta1628
scything1969
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [noun] > occurrence or event
weird971
redeOE
thingOE
limpc1200
casea1250
tidingc1275
timinga1325
being?c1400
incident?1462
advenement1490
occurrent1523
accidenta1525
occurrence1539
affair1550
event1554
happening1561
événement1567
success1588
betide1590
circumstance1592
arrivage1603
eveniency1660
occurrency1671
betider1674
befalling1839
whet1849
intermezzo1851
transpiration1908
the world > time > frequency > [noun] > recurrence > turn
charec1000
lotc1175
throwc1275
tourc1320
wheel1422
turnc1425
tourney1523
course1530
vice1637
rubbera1643
rote1831
whet1849
journey1884
a1628 J. Preston Saints Daily Exercise (1629) 32 The whetting of the sithe, though there be a stop in the work for a time, yet, as our common saying is, a whet is no let.
a1642 H. Best Farming & Memorandum Bks. (1984) 34 A good Mower will goe the breadth of thre [i.e. those] broade landes with a whette.
1849 C. Brontë Shirley III. vii. 160 If the afflatus comes, give way, Robert; never heed me: I'll bear it this whet (time).
1892 S. R. Hole Mem. (1893) xvi. 194 ‘Well, Booth,’ a visitor said to his sick neighbour, ‘thee'd like to get better, wouldn't thee, Booth? But thee mun dee, this whet.’
2.
a. figurative. Something that incites or stimulates desire; an incitement or inducement to action.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [noun] > stimulating desire > that which stimulates
whet1698
aphrodisiac1873
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 112 (margin) The sloth of the Moors a whet to the Banyans.
1710 S. Palmer Moral Ess. Prov. 6 Diversion shou'd never be any more than a Whet in order to the better..Pursuit of our Work.
1771 Ann. Reg. 1770 32/2 The carnage at Patras gave a new whet, which was not at all wanted, to the..revenge of the Greeks.
1846 Lower Hand-bk. Lewes 24 Should any facts I may state serve as a whet for the visitor's curiosity.
1880 J. Caird Univ. Addr. (1898) 134 For some minds..the whet of society is indispensable in order to the attainment of the right temper and use of their powers.
1892 R. L. Stevenson Across Plains iii. 123 Solitude: an excellent thing in itself, and a good whet for company.
b. Something that whets the appetite; chiefly, light refreshment taken as an appetizer or to stave off hunger till the next meal; esp. an appetizer in the form of a small draught of liquor; a dram, a drink (cf. wet n.2 1).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > qualities of food > [noun] > appetizer
shoeing-horn1536
antepast1582
rasher1609
whet1688
appetite1693
relisher1732
whetter1755
appetizer1862
amuse-bouche1959
amuse-gueule1963
amuse1988
relish2006
the world > food and drink > food > meal > [noun] > light meal or snacks
nuncheonc1260
morsela1382
refection?a1439
mixtumc1490
bever1500
banquet1509
collation1525
snatch1570
beverage1577
a little something1577
anders-meat1598
four-hours1637
watering1637
refreshment1639
snap1642
luncheona1652
crib1652
prandicle1656
munchin1657
baita1661
unch1663
afternooning1678
whet1688
nacket1694
merenda1740
rinfresco1745
bagging?1746
snack1757
coffee1774
second breakfast1775
nummit1777
stay-stomach1800
damper1804
eleven o'clock1805
noonshine1808
by-bit1819
morning1819
four1823
four o'clock1825
lunch1829
stay-bit1833
picnic meal1839
elevens1849
Tommy1864
picnic tea1869
dinnerette1872
merienda1880
elevenses1887
light bite1887
soldier's supper1893
mug-up1902
tray1914
café complet1933
nosha1941
namkeen1942
snax1947
snackette1952
chaat1954
ploughman's lunch1957
munchie1959
playlunch1960
short-eat1962
lite bite1965
munchie1971
ploughman1975
aperitivo2002
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > [noun] > a drink of > taken before meal
whet1688
whetter1824
aperitif1894
aperitivo1924
1688 T. Shadwell Squire of Alsatia ii. i. 32 Let's whett: bring some Wine. Come on: I love a Whett.
1693 J. Ray Three Physico-theol. Disc. (ed. 2) ii. v. 191 The President of the Council..engaged me to take a Glass of Wormwood Wine as a whet before dinner.
1693 W. Congreve tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires xi. 227 An Iv'ry Table is a certain whet; You would not think how heartily he'll Eat.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 279 Fruit, Wine, Tobacco, and Salt Bits for a Whet, being placed before them, they continue Drinking till Midnight.
1736 H. Fielding Pasquin i. 6 I have brought the Colonel to take a Morning's Whet with you.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xxxvii. 379 They whipt out two Bottles of Champaign instantly, for a Whet, as they called it.
1771 E. Raffald Experienced Eng. Housekeeper (ed. 2) App. 349 To make a nice Whet before Dinner. Cut some slices of bread.., fry them in butter, but not too hard.
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker II. 233 I have seen turnips make their appearance, not as a desert, but by way of hors d'oeuvres, or whets.
1803 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 10 477 As he walks out in the morning he takes what is called a small glass (half a gill) of bitters..at the first grog-shop he passes; and commonly takes a second whet (another half gill) before he gets to work.
1833 in F. D. Palmer Diary of C. J. P. (1892) 112 The Corporation gave a ‘whet’ at the Town Hall.
1852 W. Jerdan Autobiogr. I. xxiii. 189 He..swallowed his two dozen of green oysters as a whet, and proceeded to dine.
1879 R. L. Stevenson Trav. with Donkey 90 Father Michael..gave me a glass of liqueur to stay me until dinner... The whet administered, I was left alone.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
whetv.
/wɛt/, U.S. /(h)wɛt/ 1.
a. transitive. To sharpen, put a sharp edge or point upon.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > sharpness of edge or point > sharpen (a thing) [verb (transitive)]
whetc897
grind13..
sharpa1340
slipe1390
pointa1425
strake1483
sharpen1530
whetten1582
preacuate1623
slitea1800
society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > perform general or industrial manufacturing processes [verb (transitive)] > sharpen or put edge on
whetc897
strokec1400
set1461
filour1483
sharpen1530
to wash down1909
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care xxvi. 186 Swæ se læce grapað, & stracað, & hyt his seax & hwett [v.r. hwæt].
971 Blickl. Gloss. 259 Hy hwetton, exacuerunt.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 7094 He..whætte his sæxes alse he schæren wolde.
c1290 St. George 84 in S. Eng. Leg. 296 Heore wepne huy drowen forth and ȝwetten hem.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde v. 1760 Ofte tyme I fynde þat þey mette with blody strokes..Assayinge how here speres were whette.
1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy i. 4306 A swerde, scharp[e] grounde & whet.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 780/2 I love better whettynge of knyves afore a good dyner than whettynge of swordes and bylles.
1596 in Archaeologia 64 379 For a fylle to wheit the blakstone saw iiii d.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. iii. 242 Foole foole, thou whetst a knife to kill thy selfe. View more context for this quotation
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. L3v Like an ill Mower, that mowes on still, and neuer whets his Syth. View more context for this quotation
1698 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 20 418 It became very hot towards the Point, the Edge being whet away to a Wire.
1698 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 20 419 I whet it again strongly in the same manner, and it changed again.
1721 E. Ward Merry Trav. (1729) i. 12 The Butchers..Some wetting Knives upon a Steel.
1728 E. Young Love of Fame: Universal Passion (ed. 2) ii. 121 As in smooth oil the razor best is whet.
1825 W. Scott Talisman iii, in Tales Crusaders III. 70 Thou whett'st our very banquet-knives To tools of death and war.
1865 A. C. Swinburne Chastelard iv. i. 115 You do not think It is my wrath or will that whets this axe Against his neck?
b. Of a boar or other animal sharpening its tusks or teeth in preparation for an attack.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > sharpen teeth or tusks
whetc1000
c1000 Laws Eccl. Inst. in B. Thorpe Anc. Laws Eng. (1840) II. 396/6 Of..þæm undeadlicum wyrmum þa hwettað hyra blodigan teð to þon þet hig..urne lichoman wundian.
a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 6607 In her mouþ ben teeþ trebble sshet, None bores better ywhett.
c1440 Alphabet of Tales 178 Þai whettid þer tethe agayns þaim.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Ciij He fyleth & whetteth his horne on a stone.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 107 Boars whet their Tusks; to battel Tygers move. View more context for this quotation
1747 W. Dunkin in Francis tr. Horace Epist. ii. ii. 42 A very Wolf..Now whetting keen his wide devouring Jaw.
1799 R. Southey God's Judgem. Wicked Bishop 77 They have whetted their teeth against the stones, And now they pick the Bishop's bones.
1812 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Cantos I & II ii. xli. 81 The eagle whets his beak.
c. In allusive and figurative phrases (in which the literal language is frequently retained, e.g. to whet the teeth, the sword, etc.) usually expressing preparation for attack; often in echoes of Psalms lxiv. 3, cxl. 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > prepare to fight
whetc1374
c1000 Ags. Ps. cxxxix. [cxl.] 3 Hi hwetton tungan heora swa swa nædran.
c1374 G. Chaucer Anelida & Arcite 212 Þe swerd of sorowe whett with fals plesaunce.
14.. Tundale's Vis. (1843) 95 For to skape the cruell vyolence Of nedis swyrd whettyng with violence.
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Worthy receauing Sacr. i Therfore (saith Ciprian) when we do these thynges, we nede not to whet our teeth.
1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 6 A hie point forsooth for them to whet there tungs about.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) 7 They..had not yet whetted their tongues to slaunder their neighbours, gaue not their mindes to cruelties.
1633 A. Cowley Poet. Blossomes 74 Yet hee by chance had hit his heart aright, And on Constantia's eye his Arrow whet.
1674 W. Sherlock Disc. Knowl. Christ 56 That now we may look Justice in the face, and whet our Knife at the Counter door, all our Debts being discharged by Christ.
1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) III. 266 ‘Combined Nations,’ says she, ‘and formidable cities whet the sword against me.’
1833 I. Taylor Fanaticism ii. 26 The writer who is seen to be thus whetting afresh his words.
1866 H. P. Liddon Divin. Our Lord (1875) vii. 357 The edge and point of every weapon that might be forged or whetted by the ingenuity of passionate animosity.
d. absol.; also figurative to get ready for an attack (like a boar whetting his tusks).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > sharpness of edge or point > sharpen [verb (intransitive)]
whet1398
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (intransitive)] > get ready to attack
wheta1500
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make attack [verb (intransitive)] > attack with words, etc. > prepare to
wheta1500
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum xvi. xxiii. (Tollem. MS.) Ben diuerse maner of whetstones, and some neden water and some neden oyle for-to whette.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xvi. 196 I mon whett lyke a bore.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 19 Those who cease whetting at Gods secrets..(as not belonging to them)..have a marke upon them of such as shall be saved.
1680 J. Dryden Kind Keeper iv. i. 47 I have been whetting all this while.
1682 J. Dryden Medall 240 They..grin and whet like a Croatian band.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > urge on or incite
tar ona900
wheta1000
eggc1200
spura1225
aprick1297
ertc1325
sharpa1340
abaita1470
sharpen1483
to set (a person) forth1488
to set forth1553
egg1566
hound1571
shove?1571
edge1575
strain1581
spur1582
spurn1583
hag1587
edge1600
hist1604
switch1648
string1881
haik1892
goose1934
OE Beowulf 204 Ðone siðfæt him snotere ceorlas lythwon logon..hwetton higerofne.
a1000 Solomon & Saturn 493 Oðer [gast] hine tyhteð & on tæso læreð..& ðurh ðæt his mod hweteð.
c1000 Malchus in Cockayne Shrine (1864) 41 Þa gehyrde hio fram me þæt ic hig hwette to fleanne.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 2828 On was þer þat ful euele spak To whette Brenne to reyse contak.
1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy iv. 1354 Liche a lyoun whetted wiþ woodnes.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cccclxjv Certen biting libelles..wherin were some thinges to whet the people.
1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye of Loue f. 26v By Dauid George his Maisters whettyng him forward..he became the sonne of perdition.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iii. iv. 181 Now that their soules are topfull of offence,..I will whet on the King. View more context for this quotation
1622 R. Sanderson Two Serm. Boston ii. 91 If he would whet them vp to the battell.
1624 F. Quarles Iob Militant Medit. 3 A gloomie night Whets on the morning, to returne more bright.
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης xxvii. 214 They..are but whetted and inrag'd by what they suffer'd, against those whom they look upon as them that caus'd thir suffrings.
1718 Mem. Life J. Kettlewell i. §8 He would be often discoursing..about Points..of Religion, that he might thereby whet those who sat at Table with him.
1761 C. Churchill Rosciad 15 When she to murther whets the tim'rous Thane.
3. To sharpen, render (more) acute, keen, or eager (a person's wits, appetite, interest, curiosity, etc.). Also with up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > become refreshed or invigorated [verb (intransitive)]
to take (one's, a) breatha1398
to pull, shake oneself togethera1400
wheta1400
recomfortc1425
revigour1447
breathe1485
respirea1500
convailc1500
unweary1530
air1633
recruit1644
refresh1644
reanimate1645
invigorate1646
rally1646
to perk upa1656
renovate1660
reawake1663
freshen1694
renervate1801
recuperate1843
to recharge one's (also the) batteries1911
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > penetrate, discern [verb (transitive)] > sharpen
wheta1400
refine1589
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > appetite > have (good) appetite [verb (transitive)] > sharpen appetite
sharpenc1450
whet1612
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 2420 I attellyd neuer athens with armes to entre, Bot you questions to enquire to wete [Ashm. qwete] with my wittes.
c1400 Rom. Rose 6197 How high that euere his heed he shere With resoun whetted neuer so kene.
1402 T. Hoccleve Let. of Cupid 243 They that to wommen ben ywhett so kene.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iii. f. 262v The very weight of ye thing it self shal whet our endeuor.
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 81v Diuers colours offende the eyes, yet hauinge greene amonge them whet the sight.
1612 T. Dekker If it be not Good sig. C4v Yet seekes new wayes to whet dull appetite.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) iii. i. 104 Madam, I come to whet your gentle thoughts On his behalfe. View more context for this quotation
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 9 Aduersities doe often whet our wits.
1648 W. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 309 This I confess whets my prayers for your Lordship's health.
1752 D. Hume Polit. Disc. iii. 48 Their industry only whetted by so much new gain.
1759 D. Hume Hist. Eng. under House of Tudor II. iii. 547 Theological controversy daily whetted the animosity of the sects.
1823 T. Bewick Mem. (1975) xii. 105 The extreme interest I had always felt in the hope of administering to the pleasures & amusement of youth..whetted me up & stimulated me to proceed.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xxxii. 275 Efforts to stimulate the popular taste, and whet the popular curiosity.
1861 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilization Eng. II. iii. 210 The desire of revenge whetted their exertions.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > instilling ideas > instil ideas [verb (transitive)] > inculcate
inculk1528
whet1528
to beat (a thing) into one's head1533
ding1555
inculcate1559
to beat in1561
lesson1602
screw1602
inconculcate1610
drum1648
instil1660
indoctrinate1800
drill1863
pan1940
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > induce (an action, etc.) by persuasion > drive (something) by iterated persuasion
whet1528
hammer1646
1528 W. Tyndale Obed. Christen Man To Rdr. f. xijv Moyses saith Deutro. vj. Heare Israel let these wordes which I commaunde the this daye steke fast in thine herte, and whette them on thy childerne.
1548 T. Becon Solace of Soule sig. C.iiiv And euer be whettynge of that in thy mynde.
1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. xxii. 255 Vse all diligence to apply euery peece vnto them, to whet it vpon them.
a1665 J. Goodwin Πλήρωμα τὸ Πνευματικόv (1670) ix. 251 Was it thoroughly known, and frequently whetted upon the thoughts and minds of men [etc.].
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > actions or bird defined by > [verb (transitive)] > preen
fret1423
prune?1533
prink1573
plume1637
wheta1678
preen1692
a1678 A. Marvell Garden 54 There like a Bird it sits, and sings, Then whets, and combs its silver Wings.
6. † a. intransitive. To take an appetizer.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating specific substances or food > eat specific substances or food [verb (intransitive)] > eat appetizer
whet1688
1688 T. Shadwell Squire of Alsatia ii. i. 32 Let's whett: bring some Wine. Come on: I love a Whett.
b. transitive. In to whet one's whistle (in which whet has been substituted for the earlier wet): to clear the throat or voice by taking a drink.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > [verb (intransitive)] > clear throat with drink
to whet one's whistle1674
to cool or clear one's coppers1831
1674 T. Flatman Belly God 46 First whet thy whistle with some good Metheglin.
1742 H. Fielding Joseph Andrews I. ii. xi. 244 Give the Gentleman a Glass to whet his Whistle before he begins. View more context for this quotation
1809 F. J. Jackson Let. 7 Oct. in Lady Jackson Bath Archives (1873) I. 20 Punch..served very agreeably to wet, or whet, my whistle.
1908 T. Hardy Dynasts: Pt. 3rd iii. vi. 122 See that they have plenty of Madeira to whet their whistles with.
Compounds
whetsaw n. a bird allied to the cuckoo, so called from its making a noise like the whetting of a saw.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > perching birds > order Cuculiformes (cuckoos, etc.) > [noun] > family Cuculidae > other members or allies of
malkoha1769
whetsaw1778
railbird1793
channelbill1801
guira1866
ground-cuckoo1883
channel-billed cuckoo1887
1778 J. Carver Trav. N.-Amer. xviii. 475 The Whetsaw is of the cuckow kind, being like that a solitary bird, and scarcely ever seen,..it makes a noise like the filing of a saw.
whet-slate n. a hard slate used for hones; novaculite.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > stone > [noun] > hard stone > whetstone
whetstone1578
wolf-stone1640
hone1688
Water of Ayr stone1793
novaculite1794
Turkey hone1794
Turkey stone1816
whet-slate1839
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > stone or rock > [noun] > for whetstones > types of
Water of Ayr stone1793
novaculite1794
whet-slate1839
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > rock > metamorphic rock > [noun] > slate > argillaceous > varieties of
killas1673
razea1728
hone-stone1796
whet-slate1839
Arkansas1869
1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 1141 Whet-slate, or Turkey hone, is a slaty rock, containing a great proportion of quartz.
1856 D. Page Adv. Text-bk. Geol. (1876) viii. 161 Among the minor products may be mentioned whet-slate and ragstone.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.a1628
v.c897