1. To rub or on with some substance, as a piece of stone, for the purpose of sharpening; to sharpen by
attrition; as, to whet a knife.
The mower whets his scythe.
Milton.
Here roams the wolf, the eagle whets his beak.
Byron. 2. To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate; as, to whet the appetite or the courage.
Since Cassius first did whet me against Cæsar,
I have not slept.
Shak. To whet on,
To whet forward,
to urge on or forward; to instigate. Shak.
Whet
(Whet), n.
1. The act of whetting.
2. That which whets or sharpens; esp., an appetizer. "Sips, drams, and whets." Spectator.
Whet slate (Min.),
a variety of slate used for sharpening cutting instruments; novaculite; — called also
whetstone slate, and oilstone.