sharp
sharp having a keen edge or point; keen, acute; severe, harsh; pungent OE.; shrill XIV; (mus.) XVI; sb. uses date from XIV. OE. sċ(e)arp = OS. skarp (Du. scherp), OHG. skarf, scarpf(G. scharf), ON. skarpr :- Gmc. *skarpaz; cf. OE. sċearpe scarification, sċearpian scarify, OHG. scurfen (G. schürfen scratch), and SCRAPE.
Hence sharpen XV. superseding (dial.) sharp, OE. *sċierpan, sċerpan; see -EN5. sharper cheat, swindler. XVII. See -ER1; cf. sharp vb. swindle (XVII). sharply (-LY2), sharpness OE.
Hence sharpen XV. superseding (dial.) sharp, OE. *sċierpan, sċerpan; see -EN5. sharper cheat, swindler. XVII. See -ER1; cf. sharp vb. swindle (XVII). sharply (-LY2), sharpness OE.
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