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1 definition found

From: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

 Keen a. [Compar. Keener superl. Keenest.]
 1. Sharp; having a fine edge or point; as, a keen razor, or a razor with a keen edge.
    A bow he bare and arwes [arrows] bright and kene.   --Chaucer.
    That my keen knife see not the wound it makes.   --Shak.
 2. Acute of mind; sharp; penetrating; having or expressing mental acuteness; as, a man of keen understanding; a keen look; keen features.
    To make our wits more keen.   --Shak.
    Before the keen inquiry of her thought.   --Cowper.
 3. Bitter; piercing; acrimonious; cutting; stinging; severe; as, keen satire or sarcasm.
 Good father cardinal, cry thou amen
 To my keen curses.   --Shak.
 4. Piercing; penetrating; cutting; sharp; -- applied to cold, wind, etc.; as, a keen wind; the cold is very keen.
    Breasts the keen air, and carols as he goes.   --Goldsmith.
 5. Eager; vehement; fierce; as, a keen appetite. “Of full kene will.”
    So keen and greedy to confound a man.   --Shak.
 Note: ☞ Keen is often used in the composition of words, most of which are of obvious signification; as, keen-edged, keen-eyed, keen-sighted, keen-witted, etc.
 Syn: -- Prompt; eager; ardent; sharp; acute; cutting; penetrating; biting; severe; sarcastic; satirical; piercing; shrewd.