sharpness
nounEtymology From Middle English sharpnesse, scharpnesse, from Old English sċearpnes (“sharpness”), equivalent to sharp + -ness.
7 senses
1
the cutting ability of an edge; keenness.
2
the fineness of the point a pointed object.
3
The product or result of being sharp.
- The first thing that strikes the stranger is the sharpness of the curves on the metre gauge; it is not unusual for a long train to be travelling in three directions at once, and the engine is frequently in full view of the windows of the ninth or tenth carriage.1950 April 23, Timothy H. Cobb, “The Kenya-Uganda Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 263:
4
Of food etc pungency or acidity.
5
Of an image distinctness, focus.
6
Of intelligence acuteness or acuity.
- Mrs. PAGE is gifted with a pleasing voice, which is yet imperfectly weeded of certain sharpnesses, but seems susceptible of a wide range of melodious inflection.1861 June 14, “Amusements.”, in The New York Times:
- A lack of match sharpness was perhaps to blame for Rooney squandering England's best chance after 27 minutes.2012 June 19, Phil McNulty, “England 1-0 Ukraine”, in BBC Sport:
7
Obsolete edge or blade
- CUT-WATER, or KNEE OF THE HEAD [S.] the ſharpneſs of the head of the ſhip, below the beak;1760, John Marchant, Gent. Mr. Gordon, Daniel Bellamy, and others., A New Complete English Dictionary...:
- also thei smytiden bi the scharpnesse of swerd, oxun, and scheep, and assis.ca. 1395, John Wycliffe et al., Joshua 6:21: