Whetting: meaning, definitions and examples

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whetting

 

[หˆwษ›tษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

sharpening tools

Whetting refers to the process of sharpening a blade or edge. Typically, it involves the use of a whetstone or other tools to grind the metal until it reaches a fine point. Additionally, it can refer to intensifying or stimulating a feeling or desire, often used in a figurative sense. The term is often associated with preparing items for use, ensuring they perform effectively.

Synonyms

grind, hone, sharpen, stimulate.

Examples of usage

  • He spent the afternoon whetting his hunting knife.
  • The chef is whetting his appetite for gourmet cuisine.
  • Whetting the edge of the sword made it more effective for battle.
Context #2 | Verb

stimulating desire

In a more figurative sense, whetting can mean to excite or stimulate a desire or interest. For example, a teaser trailer for a movie may serve to whet the audience's anticipation. This usage emphasizes creating a heightened sense of yearning or eagerness for something to come.

Synonyms

arouse, excite, heighten, stimulate.

Examples of usage

  • The movie trailer was successful in whetting the audience's appetite for more.
  • Her story only whetted my curiosity about the subject.
  • The first chapter of the novel is designed to whet the reader's interest.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the Old English word 'whetan', which means to sharpen.
  • Originally, it referred primarily to sharpening tools or knives before it expanded to ideas and desires.

Literature

  • In literature, โ€˜whettingโ€™ can describe how an author builds anticipation in a story, keeping readers engaged.
  • Shakespeare used the concept to create suspense and intrigue in his plays, urging characters to 'whet' their ambitions.

Psychology

  • Whetting an appetite can also refer to psychological tactics in marketing, where interest is built through teasers.
  • Studies show that curiosity can increase our desire for knowledge, making us want to learn more about a topic.

Culinary Arts

  • 'Whetting your appetite' is a common phrase used in cooking to describe how certain smells or sights of food can make you hungry.
  • Culinary professionals use the concept to create dishes that excite the palate, often starting with appetizers.

Translations

Translations of the word "whetting" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น afiando

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคคเฅ‡เคœเคผ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Schรคrfen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ mengasah

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฐั‚ะพั‡ัƒะฒะฐะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ostrzenie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็ ”ใ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท aiguisement

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ afilado

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท keskinleลŸtirme

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋‚ ์นด๋กญ๊ฒŒ ํ•˜๊ธฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุดุญุฐ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ostล™enรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ostrenie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ฃจๅˆฉ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ostrenje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ skerpa

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚าฏะนั€ะตัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒฎแƒ•แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜แƒก แƒ’แƒแƒฌแƒ•แƒ แƒ—แƒœแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kษ™skinlษ™ลŸdirmษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ afilado

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,166, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.