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(kn), a.[Compar.Keener (-r); superl.Keenest.] [OE. kene sharp, bold, AS. cne bold; akin to D. koen, OHG. kuoni, G. khn, OSw. kyn, kn, Icel. knn, for knn 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. 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; a Keen v. t.To sharpen; to make cold. [R.] Cold winter keens the brightening flood. Thomson. Keen n.[Ir. caoine.] A prolonged wail for a deceased person. Cf. Coranach. [Ireland] Froude. Keen v. i.To wail as a keener does. [Ireland] スポンサード リンク
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