Sharp \Sharp\, a. [Compar. {Sharper}; superl. {Sharpest}.] [OE.
sharp, scharp, scarp, AS. scearp; akin to OS. skarp, LG.
scharp, D. scherp, G. scharf, Dan. & Sw. skarp, Icel. skarpr.
Cf. {Escarp}, {Scrape}, {Scorpion}.]
1. Having a very thin edge or fine point; of a nature to cut
or pierce easily; not blunt or dull; keen.
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He dies upon my scimeter's sharp point. --Shak.
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2. Terminating in a point or edge; not obtuse or rounded;
somewhat pointed or edged; peaked or ridged; as, a sharp
hill; sharp features.
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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.
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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}.
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5. Very trying to the feelings; piercing; keen; severe;
painful; distressing; as, sharp pain, weather; a sharp and
frosty air.
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Sharp misery had worn him to the bones. --Shak.
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The morning sharp and clear. --Cowper.
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In sharpest perils faithful proved. --Keble.
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6. Cutting in language or import; biting; sarcastic; cruel;
harsh; rigorous; severe; as, a sharp rebuke. "That sharp
look." --Tennyson.
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To that place the sharp Athenian law
Can not pursue us. --Shak.
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Be thy words severe,
Sharp as merits but the sword forbear. --Dryden.
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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.
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Nothing makes men sharper . . . than want.
--Addison.
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Many other things belong to the material world,
wherein the sharpest philosophers have never ye?
arrived at clear and distinct ideas. --L. Watts.
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8. Eager in pursuit; keen in quest; impatient for
gratification; keen; as, a sharp appetite.
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9. Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous. "In sharp
contest of battle." --Milton.
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A sharp assault already is begun. --Dryden.
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10. Keenly or unduly attentive to one's own interest; close
and exact in dealing; shrewd; as, a sharp dealer; a sharp
customer.
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The necessity of being so sharp and exacting.
--Swift.
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11. Composed of hard, angular grains; gritty; as, sharp sand.
--Moxon.
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12. Steep; precipitous; abrupt; as, a sharp ascent or
descent; a sharp turn or curve.
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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.
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Note: Sharp is often used in the formation of self-explaining
compounds; as, sharp-cornered, sharp-edged,
sharp-pointed, sharp-tasted, sharp-visaged, etc.
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{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.
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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.
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