keen

The definition of keen is something sharp or intense.

(adjective)

  1. An example of keen is a sharp knife.
  2. An example of keen is a witty sense of humor.

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See keen in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. having a sharp edge or point; that can cut well: a keen knife, a keen edge
  2. sharp or cutting in force; piercing: a keen appetite, a keen wind
  3. sharp and quick in seeing, hearing, thinking, etc.; acute: keen eyes, a keen intelligence
  4. sharp-witted; mentally acute; shrewd
  5. eager; enthusiastic; much interested: often with about, on, etc.
  6. strongly felt or perceived; intense; strong: keen desire, a keen scent
  7. Slang good, fine, etc.: a generalized term of approval

Origin: ME kene < OE cene, wise, learned, akin to Ger kühn, bold < IE base *ĝen-, to know: the principal senses spring from the basic notion “capable”

Related Forms:

noun

Irish a wailing for the dead; dirge

Origin: Ir caoine < caoinim, I wail

intransitive verb

  1. Irish to lament or wail for the dead
  2. to make a wailing, shrill, or mournful sound suggestive of a keen

transitive verb

to utter in a wailing tone

See keen in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective keen·er, keen·est
  1. Having a fine, sharp cutting edge or point.
  2. Having or marked by intellectual quickness and acuity. See Synonyms at sharp.
  3. Acutely sensitive: a keen ear.
  4. Sharp; vivid; strong: “His entire body hungered for keen sensation, something exciting” (Richard Wright).
  5. Intense; piercing: a keen wind.
  6. Pungent; acrid: A keen smell of skunk was left behind.
  7. a. Ardent; enthusiastic: a keen chess player.
    b. Eagerly desirous: keen on going to Europe in the spring.
  8. Slang Great; splendid; fine: What a keen day!

Origin:

Origin: Middle English kene

Origin: , from Old English cēne, brave

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Related Forms:

  • keenˈly adverb
  • keenˈness noun

noun
A loud, wailing lament for the dead.
intransitive verb keened, keen·ing, keens
To wail in lamentation, especially for the dead. See Synonyms at cry.

Origin:

Origin: From Irish Gaelic caoineadh

Origin: , from caoninim, I lament

Origin: , from Old Irish caínim, coínim

Origin: , perhaps of Brittonic origin

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Related Forms:

  • keenˈer noun

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