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sharpen (v.)

1520s, "bring to an edge or point," from sharp (adj.) + -en (1). Related: Sharpened; sharpening. Old English verb scearpian meant "to score, scarify;" also compare scearpung "scarifying." To sharpen (one's) pencil "prepare to get to work" is from 1957, American English.

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Definitions of sharpen from WordNet

sharpen (v.)
make sharp or sharper;
sharpen the knives
sharpen (v.)
make crisp or more crisp and precise;
We had to sharpen our arguments
sharpen (v.)
become sharp or sharper;
The debate sharpened
sharpen (v.)
put (an image) into focus; "Please focus the image; we cannot enjoy the movie";
Synonyms: focus / focalize / focalise
sharpen (v.)
make (images or sounds) sharp or sharper;
sharpen (v.)
raise the pitch of (musical notes);
sharpen (v.)
give a point to;
Synonyms: taper / point
sharpen (v.)
make (one's senses) more acute;
This drug will sharpen your vision
Synonyms: heighten
From wordnet.princeton.edu