Whet /(?)/

Whet

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Whetted; p. pr. & vb. n. Whetting

  1. To rub or on with some substance, as a piece of stone, for the purpose of sharpening; to sharpen by attrition; as, to whet a knife.
    The mower whets his scythe.
    Here roams the wolf, the eagle whets his beak.
  2. To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate; as, to whet the appetite or the courage.
    Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept.

Phrases & Compounds
To whet on
to urge on or forward; to instigate.

Whet

n.
  1. The act of whetting.
  2. That which whets or sharpens; esp., an appetizer.

Phrases & Compounds
Whet slate
a variety of slate used for sharpening cutting instruments; novaculite; -- called also whetstone slate, and oilstone.