sharp
Noun · Adjective · AdverbWordNet 3.0
Noun (2)
- a musical notation indicating one half step higher than the note named
- a long thin sewing needle with a sharp point
Adjective (12)
- (of something seen or heard) clearly defined“a sharp photographic image”“the sharp crack of a twig”“the crisp snap of dry leaves underfoot”Synonyms: crisp
- ending in a sharp pointSynonyms: acuateacuteneedlelike
- having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions“an acute observer of politics and politicians”“incisive comments”“icy knifelike reasoning”“as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang”“penetrating insight”“frequent penetrative observations”Synonyms: acutediscriminatingincisivekeenknifelikepenetratingpenetrativepiercing
- marked by practical hardheaded intelligence“a smart businessman”“an astute tenant always reads the small print in a lease”“he was too shrewd to go along with them on a road that could lead only to their overthrow”Synonyms: astuteshrewd
- harsh“sharp criticism”“a sharp-worded exchange”“a tart remark”Synonyms: sharp-wordedtart
- having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones“a shrill whistle”“a shrill gaiety”Synonyms: shrill
- extremely steep“an abrupt canyon”“the precipitous rapids of the upper river”“the precipitous hills of Chinese paintings”“a sharp drop”Synonyms: abruptprecipitous
- keenly and painfully felt; as if caused by a sharp edge or point“a sharp pain”“sharp winds”
- having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing“a sharp knife”“a pencil with a sharp point”
- (of a musical note) raised in pitch by one chromatic semitone“C sharp”
- very sudden and in great amount or degree“a sharp drop in the stock market”
- quick and forceful“a sharp blow”
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
1.Having a very thin edge or fine point; of a nature to cut or pierce easily; not blunt or dull; keen. [1913 Webster]
He dies upon my scimeter's sharp point.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
2.Terminating in a point or edge; not obtuse or rounded; somewhat pointed or edged; peaked or ridged; as, a sharp hill; sharp features. [1913 Webster]
3.Affecting the sense as if pointed or cutting, keen, penetrating, acute: to the taste or smell, pungent, acid, sour, as ammonia has a sharp taste and odor; to the hearing, piercing, shrill, as a sharp sound or voice; to the eye, instantaneously brilliant, dazzling, as a sharp flash. [1913 Webster]
4.(Mus.) (a) High in pitch; acute; as, a sharp note or tone. (b) Raised a semitone in pitch; as, C sharp (C[sharp]), which is a half step, or semitone, higher than C. (c) So high as to be out of tune, or above true pitch; as, the tone is sharp; that instrument is sharp. Opposed in all these senses to flat. [1913 Webster]
5.Very trying to the feelings; piercing; keen; severe; painful; distressing; as, sharp pain, weather; a sharp and frosty air. [1913 Webster]
Sharp misery had worn him to the bones.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
The morning sharp and clear.— Cowper.[1913 Webster]
In sharpest perils faithful proved.— Keble.[1913 Webster]
6.Cutting in language or import; biting; sarcastic; cruel; harsh; rigorous; severe; as, a sharp rebuke. "That sharp look." --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
To that place the sharp Athenian law Can not pursue us.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
Be thy words severe, Sharp as merits but the sword forbear.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]
7.Of keen perception; quick to discern or distinguish; having nice discrimination; acute; penetrating; sagacious; clever; as, a sharp eye; sharp sight, hearing, or judgment. [1913 Webster]
Nothing makes men sharper . . . than want.— Addison.[1913 Webster]
Many other things belong to the material world, wherein the sharpest philosophers have never ye? arrived at clear and distinct ideas.— L. Watts.[1913 Webster]
8.Eager in pursuit; keen in quest; impatient for gratification; keen; as, a sharp appetite. [1913 Webster]
9.Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous. "In sharp contest of battle." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
A sharp assault already is begun.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]
10.Keenly or unduly attentive to one's own interest; close and exact in dealing; shrewd; as, a sharp dealer; a sharp customer. [1913 Webster]
The necessity of being so sharp and exacting.— Swift.[1913 Webster]
11.Composed of hard, angular grains; gritty; as, sharp sand. --Moxon. [1913 Webster]
12.Steep; precipitous; abrupt; as, a sharp ascent or descent; a sharp turn or curve. [1913 Webster]
13.(Phonetics) Uttered in a whisper, or with the breath alone, without voice, as certain consonants, such as p, k, t, f; surd; nonvocal; aspirated. [1913 Webster]
Note: Sharp is often used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, sharp-cornered, sharp-edged, sharp-pointed, sharp-tasted, sharp-visaged, etc. [1913 Webster]
Sharp practice, the getting of an advantage, or the attempt to do so, by a tricky expedient.
To brace sharp, or To sharp up (Naut.), to turn the yards to the most oblique position possible, that the ship may lie well up to the wind. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Keen; acute; piercing; penetrating; quick; sagacious; discerning; shrewd; witty; ingenious; sour; acid; tart; pungent; acrid; severe; poignant; biting; acrimonious; sarcastic; cutting; bitter; painful; afflictive; violent; harsh; fierce; ardent; fiery. [1913 Webster]
1.To sharpen. [Obs.] --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
2.(Mus.) To raise above the proper pitch; to elevate the tone of; especially, to raise a half step, or semitone, above the natural tone. [1913 Webster]
1.To a point or edge; piercingly; eagerly; sharply. --M. Arnold. [1913 Webster]
The head [of a spear] full sharp yground.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]
You bite so sharp at reasons.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
2.Precisely; exactly; as, we shall start at ten o'clock sharp. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]
Look sharp, attend; be alert. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]
1.To play tricks in bargaining; to act the sharper. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]
2.(Mus.) To sing above the proper pitch. [1913 Webster]
1.A sharp tool or weapon. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
If butchers had but the manners to go to sharps, gentlemen would be contented with a rubber at cuffs.— Collier.[1913 Webster]
2.(Mus.) (a) The character [[sharp]] used to indicate that the note before which it is placed is to be raised a half step, or semitone, in pitch. (b) A sharp tone or note. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3.A portion of a stream where the water runs very rapidly. [Prov. Eng.] --C. Kingsley. [1913 Webster]
4.A sewing needle having a very slender point; a needle of the most pointed of the three grades, blunts, betweens, and sharps. [1913 Webster]
5.pl. Same as Middlings, 1. [1913 Webster]
6.An expert. [Slang] [1913 Webster]
Free On-line Dictionary of Computing
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