sharpened

Everyday

1. Sharpened is the past form of «sharpen»: to make a point or edge sharper, like a pencil or a knife. tree →
2. As an adjective it means having been made sharp: «a sharpened pencil». tree →
3. It can also mean made stronger or clearer: «sharpened skills». tree →

In the lessons

In school pupils use sharpened pencils and empty the sharpener over the bin. In everyday life knives and tools are sharpened by adults. In stories a hero may have sharpened senses. Phrases: «a freshly sharpened pencil», «sharpened his skills».

Examples

• I sharpened my pencil before the test. tree →
• Bring two sharpened pencils to the exam. tree →
• Grandad sharpened the axe on a stone. tree →
• Practising every day sharpened her piano skills. tree →
• Be careful — the knife has just been sharpened. tree →
• The fox's hunger sharpened its sense of smell. tree →
• The mother immediately took an axe and sharpened it, and went down to the dike with it. tree →

Note

Past of «sharpen» (sharp + -en). A «sharpener» is the tool for pencils. Sharpened knives cut more easily, so they need extra care; only adults should sharpen knives.

In Jewish tradition

Used for swords, arrows and tongues made ready to hurt, showing both war and cruel speech.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the sharpened sword in Ezekiel as God's judgment on Jerusalem made ready, and sharpened tongues as slander.

Examples

• They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; vipers' venom is under their lips. (Writings PSA.140.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'Son of man, prophesy, and say: Thus saith the LORD: Say: A sword, a sword, it is sharpened, and also furbished: (Prophets EZK.21.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• Their tongue is a sharpened arrow, it speaketh deceit; one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in his heart he layeth wait for him. (Prophets JER.9.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past of «sharpen» (sharp + -en). A «sharpener» is the tool for pencils. Sharpened knives cut more easily, so they need extra care; only adults should sharpen knives.