Definition of Keen

1. Noun. A funeral lament sung with loud wailing.

Generic synonyms: Coronach, Dirge, Lament, Requiem, Threnody
Geographical relationships: Emerald Isle, Hibernia, Ireland

2. Verb. Express grief verbally. "We lamented the death of the child"
Exact synonyms: Lament
Entails: Grieve, Sorrow
Generic synonyms: Express Emotion, Express Feelings
Derivative terms: Lament, Lament, Lament, Lamentation, Lamentation, Lamenter

3. Adjective. Having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions. "Frequent penetrative observations"

4. Adjective. Intense or sharp. "Felt exquisite pleasure"
Exact synonyms: Exquisite
Similar to: Intense

5. Adjective. Very good. "You look simply smashing"
Exact synonyms: Bang-up, Bully, Corking, Cracking, Dandy, Great, Groovy, Neat, Nifty, Not Bad, Peachy, Slap-up, Smashing, Swell
Language type: Colloquialism
Similar to: Good

6. Adjective. Painful as if caused by a sharp instrument. "Lancinating pain"
Exact synonyms: Cutting, Knifelike, Lancinate, Lancinating, Piercing, Stabbing
Similar to: Sharp

7. Adjective. Having a sharp cutting edge or point. "A keen blade"
Similar to: Sharp
Derivative terms: Keenness

Definition of Keen

1. a. Sharp; having a fine edge or point; as, a keen razor, or a razor with a keen edge.

2. v. t. To sharpen; to make cold.

3. n. A prolonged wail for a deceased person. Cf. Coranach.

4. v. i. To wail as a keener does.

Definition of Keen

1. Adjective. showing a quick and ardent willingness or responsiveness, enthusiastic, eager; interested, intense. ¹

2. Adjective. vehement; fierce; as, a keen appetite. ¹

3. Adjective. sharp; having a fine edge or point. ¹

4. Adjective. acute of mind; sharp; penetrating; having or expressing mental acuteness. ¹

5. Adjective. bitter; piercing; acrimonious; cutting; stinging; severe; as, keen satire or sarcasm. ¹

6. Adjective. piercing; penetrating; cutting; sharp; -- applied to cold, wind, etc,; as, a keen wind; the cold is very keen. ¹

7. Adjective. (context: often with ''to'' + infinitive or with a prepositional phrase) Enthusiastic ¹

8. Adjective. (US informal dated) Marvelous. ¹

9. Adjective. (U.K.) extremely low as to be competitive. ¹

10. Adjective. (obsolete) brave, courageous; bold, audacious. ¹

11. Verb. (transitive rare) To sharpen; to make cold. ¹

12. Noun. A prolonged wail for a deceased person. ¹

13. Verb. (intransitive) To utter a keen. ¹

14. Verb. (transitive) To utter with a loud wailing voice or wordless cry. ¹

15. Verb. (transitive) To mourn. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Keen

1. enthusiastic [adj KEENER, KEENEST] / to wail loudly over the dead [v -ED, -ING, -S] - See also: enthusiastic

Medical Definition of Keen

1. William W., U.S. Surgeon, 1837-1932. See: Keen's operation, Keen's sign. (05 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Keen

keelhauled
keelhauling
keelhauls
keelie
keelies
keeling
keelings
keelless
keelman
keelmen
keels
keelson
keelsons
keelyvine pen
keema
keen
keen-sighted
keen-witted
keen as mustard
keen on
keened
keener
keeners
keenest
keeneth
keening
keenings
keenly
keenness
keennesses

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