sharp
1. sharp \'sha:rp\ aj [ME, fr. OE scearp; akin to OE scieran to cut - more
at SHEAR)M 1: adapted to cutting or piercing : as 1a: having a thin keen
edge or fine point 1b: briskly or sharply cold : NIPPING 1c: composed of
hard angular particles : GRITTY 2a: keen in intellect : QUICK-WITTED 2b:
keen in perception : ACUTE 2c: keen in attention : VIGILANT 2d: keen in
attention to one's own interest sometimes to the point of bein g unethical
{a ~ trader} 3: keen in spirit or action : as 3a: EAGER, BRISK 3b:
capable of acting or reacting strongly; esp : CAUSTIC 4: SEVERE, HARSH :
as 4a: inclined to or marked by irritability or anger 4b: causing intense
mental or physical distress 4c: cutting in language or import 5:
affecting the senses or sense organs intensely : as 5a1: having a strong
odor or flavor {~ cheese} 5a2: ACRID 5b: having a strong piercing sound
5c: having the effect of or involving a sudden brilliant display of light
6a: terminating in a point or edge {~ features} 6b: involving an abrupt
change in direction {a ~ turn} 6c: clear in outline or detail : DISTINCT
6d: set forth with clarity and distinctness {~ contrast} of a tone 7a:
raised a half step in pitch 7b: higher than the proper pitch 7c: MAJOR,
AUGMENTED - used of an interval in music 7d: having a sharp in the
signature {key of F ~} 8: STYLISH, DRESSY or point making cutting or
piercing easy; applied to persons it implies quick perception or analysis,
clever resourcefulness, or questionable trickiness; KEEN applies esp. to a
very sharp edge or may suggest a poignant, a zestful, or a bracing quality;
ACUTE stresses a power to penetrate and may apply to the senses or to
mental faculties such as logical discrimination - sharp.ly av SYN syn KEEN,
ACUTE: SHARP applies to things with an edge
2. sharp vt : to raise (as a musical tone) in pitch; esp : to raise in
pitch by a half step to sing or play above the proper pitch
3. sharp av 1: in a sharp manner : SHARPLY 2: PRECISELY, EXACTLY {4
o'clock ~}
4. sharp n : one that is sharp : as : a sharp edge or point : a musical
note or tone one half step higher than a note or tone named : a character
# on a line or space of the musical staff indicating a pit ch a half step
higher than the degree would indicate without it : a long sewing needle
with sharp point : a real or self-styled expert; also : SHARPER