whet
verb (used with object)
to sharpen (a knife, tool, etc.) by grinding or friction.
was whetting
-
past progressiveof whet.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Red Dead Redemption The new Grand Theft Horse was whetting a few appetites on the box this week, with thoughts of an online NaN posse being gunned down by all-comers just too much to take.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 19, 2010
Amyas had got the hone out of his pocket, and was whetting away again at his sword-edge, as if there was some dreadful doom on him, to whet, and whet forever.
From Westward Ho!, or, the voyages and adventures of Sir Amyas Leigh, Knight, of Burrough, in the county of Devon, in the reign of her most glorious majesty Queen Elizabeth by Charles Kingsley
From the look on her face she was whetting her tongue.
From Master Skylark by John Bennett
He was a young fellow from a meat-shop; he was whetting his knife on the stone of the pavement.
From What to Do? by Isabel Florence Hapgood
His father was whetting the obstinate tool which he had been deterred from grinding properly by the ill-timed laziness of Sam.
From Father Brighthopes An Old Clergyman's Vacation by J. T. (John Townsend) Trowbridge
