hone
1[ hohn ]
/ hoʊn /
noun
a whetstone of fine, compact texture for sharpening razors and other cutting tools.
a precision tool with a mechanically rotated abrasive tip, for enlarging holes to precise dimensions.
verb (used with object), honed, hon·ing.
to sharpen on a hone: to hone a carving knife.
to enlarge or finish (a hole) with a hone.
to make more acute or effective; improve; perfect: to hone one's skills.
Words nearby hone
hond., honda, hondo, honduran, honduras, hone, honecker, honegger, honest, honest broker, honest injun
Origin of hone
1before 950; Middle English (noun); Old English hān stone, rock; cognate with Old Norse hein hone; akin to cone
OTHER WORDS FROM hone
hon·er, nounDefinition for hone (2 of 2)
hone2
[ hohn ]
/ hoʊn /
verb (used without object), honed, hon·ing.
South Midland and Southern U.S. to yearn; long: to hone for the farm life; to hone after peach pie.
Archaic. to moan and groan.
Origin of hone
21590–1600; < Anglo-French *honer; Old French hogner to grumble, growl < Germanic; compare Old Saxon hōnian to abuse, revile
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for hone
British Dictionary definitions for hone (1 of 2)
hone1
/ (həʊn) /
noun
a fine whetstone, esp for sharpening razors
a tool consisting of a number of fine abrasive slips held in a machine head, rotated and reciprocated to impart a smooth finish to cylinder bores, etc
verb
(tr) to sharpen or polish with or as if with a hone
Word Origin for hone
Old English hān stone; related to Old Norse hein
usage for hone
Hone is sometimes wrongly used where home is meant: this device makes it easier to home in on (not hone in on) the target
British Dictionary definitions for hone (2 of 2)
hone2
/ (həʊn) /
verb (intr) dialect
(often foll by for or after) to yearn or pine
to moan or grieve
Word Origin for hone
C17: from Old French hogner to growl, probably of Germanic origin; compare Old High German hōnen to revile
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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