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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Whet \Whet\, n.
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1. The act of whetting.
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2. That which whets or sharpens; esp., an appetizer. "Sips,
drams, and whets." --Spectator.
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{Whet slate} (Min.), a variety of slate used for sharpening
cutting instruments; novaculite; -- called also {whetstone
slate}, and {oilstone}.
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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[aum]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.]
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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.
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The mower whets his scythe. --Milton.
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Here roams the wolf, the eagle whets his beak.
--Byron.
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2. To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate;
as, to whet the appetite or the courage.
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Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar,
I have not slept. --Shak.
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{To whet on}, {To whet forward}, to urge on or forward; to
instigate. --Shak.
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