keen

views updated May 18 2018

keen1 / kēn/ • adj. 1. having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm: keen believers in the monetary system. ∎  (keen on) interested in or attracted by (someone or something): Bob makes it obvious he's keen on her. 2. sharp or penetrating, in particular: ∎  (of a sense) highly developed: I have keen eyesight. ∎  (of mental faculties) quick to understand or function: her keen intellect. ∎  (of the air or wind) extremely cold; biting. ∎  (of the edge or point of a blade) sharp. DERIVATIVES: keen·ly adv.keen·ness n.keen2 • v. [intr.] wail in grief for a dead person. ∎  [usu. as n.] (keening) make an eerie wailing sound: the keening of the cold night wind. DERIVATIVES: keen·er n.

keen

views updated May 18 2018

keen1 †wise; †brave, fierce OE.; having a sharp edge or point; pungent, biting XIII; ardent, intense XIV; penetrating, acute XVIII. OE. cēne = OS. *kōni, MLG. kōne (Du. koen), OHG. kuoni (G. kühn) bold, brave, ON. kœnn skilful, expert :— Gmc. *kōnjaz,which has no certain cogns.

keen

views updated May 23 2018

keen (Irish caoine). Irish funeral song acc. by wailing (keening). Reproduced in Vaughan Williams's opera Riders to the Sea.

keen

views updated May 21 2018

keen2 lament. XIX. — Ir. caoinim I wail.