Whet \Whet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whetted; p. pr. & vb. n. Whetting.]

[AS. hwettan; akin to D. wetten, G. wetzen, OHG. wezzen, Icel. hvetja, Sw. v["a]ttja, and AS. hw[ae]t vigorous, brave, OS. hwat, OHG. waz, was, sharp, Icel. hvatr, bold, active, Sw. hvass sharp, Dan. hvas, Goth. hwassaba sharply, and probably to Skr. cud to impel, urge on.]

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 C[ae]sar, I have not slept. --Shak.

To whet on, To whet forward, to urge on or forward; to instigate. --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)