Shàrp1, a.
a. [compar. SHARPER; superl. SHARPEST.] [A-S. scearp, L. Ger. scharp, D. scherp, Dan. & Sw. skarp, Icel. skarp-r, O. H. Ger. scarf, M. H. Ger. scharf, from the root of shear.]
Sense 1. Having a very thin edge or fine point; of a nature to cut or pierce easily; not blunt or dull; keen; acute.
He dies upon my cimeter's sharp point. Shak.
Sense 2. Terminating in a point or edge; not obtuse or rounded; somewhat pointed or edged; peaked or ridged; as, a sharp hill; a sharp roof; a sharp countenance.
Sense 3. Affecting the senses as if pointed or cutting; keen; penetrating; acute; — to the taste or smell, pungent; acid; sour; — to the hearing, piercing; shrill; as, a sharp sound or voice.
Sense 4. (Mus.) (a.) High in pitch; acute; as, a sharp note or tone; — opposed to a flat tone. (b.) Raised a semitone in pitch; as, C sharp (C♯), 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.
Sense 5. Very trying to the feelings; piercing; keen; severe; painful; distressing; as, sharp pain; sharp wind or weather.
Sharp misery hath worn him to the bone. Shak.
Sense 6. Cutting in language or import; biting; sarcastic; cruel; harsh; rigid; severe; as, sharp words; sharp rebuke.
To that place the sharp Athenian law Can not pursue us. Shak.
Be thy words severe, Sharp as he merits; but the sword forbear. Dryden.
Sense 7. Eager in pursuit; keen in quest; impatient for gratification; keen; hungry; as, a sharp appetite.
My falchion now is sharp and passing empty. Shak.
Sense 8. Fierce; ardent; fiery; violent; impetuous. “In sharp contest of battle.” Milton.
A sharp assault already is begun. Dryden.
Sense 9. Of keen perception; of penetrating senses; nice to perceive or observe; of acute sense; quick to discern or distinguish; not dull; as, a sharp eye; sharp sight or hearing.
Sharp at her utmost ken she cast her eyes. Dryden.
Nothing makes men sharper than want. Addison.
Many other things belong to the material world, wherein the sharpest philosophers have not yet obtained clear ideas. Watts.
Sense 10. Keenly attentive to one's own interest; close and exact in dealing; shrewd; as, a sharp dealer; a sharp customer. “The necessity of being so sharp and exacting.” Swift.
Sense 11. Hard; as, sharp sand; — a term used among workmen. Moxon.
Sense 12. (Pron.) Uttered in a whisper, or with the breath alone, without the voice, as certain consonants, such as p, k, t, f; surd; non-vocal; whispered; aspirated.
Sharp is often used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, sharp-cornered, sharp-edged, sharp-pointed, sharp-tasted, sharp-toothed, sharp-visaged, and the like.
To brace sharp, or to sharp up (Naut.), to turn the yards to the most oblique position possible, that the ship may lay well up to the wind.
Synonyms— 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.