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Entry 4 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Whet

/wĕt/ · IPA /ˈwɛt/
01 v. t. 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.
imp. & p. p. Whetted; p. pr. & vb. n. Whetting
  1. 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.
    “The mower whets his scythe.” — Milton.
    “Here roams the wolf, the eagle whets his beak.” — Byron.
  2. 2.
    To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate; as, to whet the appetite or the courage.
    “Since Cassius first did whet me against Caesar, I have not slept.” — Shak.
Phrases & compounds
To whet on — to urge on or forward; to instigate.
02 n. The act of whetting.
  1. 1.
    The act of whetting.
  2. 2.
    That which whets or sharpens; esp., an appetizer.
Phrases & compounds
Whet slate — a variety of slate used for sharpening cutting instruments; novaculite; -- called also whetstone slate, and oilstone.