whet

About 0.25 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To sharpen (something, such as a knife or sword) by rubbing on an object, especially a whetstone; to hone.

   to whet one's appetite or one's courage

2. verb To sharpen (something, such as a knife or sword) by rubbing on an object, especially a whetstone; to hone.
3. verb Of an animal such as a boar: to sharpen (its horns, teeth, tusks, etc.) by rubbing on a stone, etc., in preparation for an attack.
4. verb To make more keen or to stimulate (someone's appetite, interest, etc.); to hone, to sharpen.

   to whet one's appetite or one's courage

5. verb To make more keen or to stimulate (someone's appetite, interest, etc.); to hone, to sharpen.

   to whet one's appetite or one's courage

6. verb To encourage (someone) to do something; to incite, to urge.
7. verb To inculcate or teach (habits, information, etc.).
8. verb Of a bird: to preen (its feathers).

Similar words

quicken hone saw sharpen raise arouse stimulate awaken reawaken owl

Often followed by

the his their your my owl our her and

Word family

whets whetted whetter whetters whetting