[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/whet/)

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# whet

verb (whets, whetted, whetting)

«whet» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To whet is to sharpen a blade by rubbing it on a stone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whet/#m1)
2. To whet an appetite is to make it stronger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whet/#m2)

### In the lessons

in tales, a knife is whetted on a stone before it is used

### Examples

- He whetted the knife on a great stone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whet/#x1)
- The smell whetted my appetite. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whet/#x2)
- Whet the blade slowly and carefully. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whet/#x3)

### Note

nothing for maths

## In Jewish tradition

God "whets" His sword in a poem about judgment; in Egypt, not even a dog would "sharpen" its tongue, meaning growl, at Israel.

**Interpretation.** The quiet of the dogs on the night of the Exodus is read as a sign of God's care, setting Israel apart from Egypt.

### Examples

- If I whet My glittering sword, and My hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to Mine adversaries, and will recompense them that hate Me. (Torah DEU.32.41, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/whet/#x1)
- But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog whet his tongue, against man or beast; that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. (Torah EXO.11.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/whet/#x2)
- Who have whet their tongue like a sword, and have aimed their arrow, a poisoned word; (Writings PSA.64.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/whet/#x3)
- If a man turn not, He will whet His sword, He hath bent His bow, and made it ready; (Writings PSA.7.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/whet/#x4)
- that all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace; none whetted his tongue against any of the children of Israel. (Prophets JOS.10.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/whet/#x5)

### Note

nothing for maths

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «whet» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/W/whet/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«whet» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/whet.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «whet» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/W/whet/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«whet» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/whet.html) on Mova free.