sharp
Pronunciation: (shärp), [key]
— adj., v., adv., n. -er, -est,
—adj.
- having a thin cutting edge or a fine point; well-adapted for cutting or piercing: a sharp knife.
- terminating in an edge or point; not blunt or rounded: The table had sharp corners.
- involving a sudden or abrupt change in direction or course: a sharp curve in the road; The car made a sharp turn.
- abrupt, as an ascent: a sharp drop.
- consisting of angular lines and pointed forms or of thin, long features: He had a sharp face.
- clearly defined; distinct: a sharp photographic image.
- distinct or marked, as a contrast: sharp differences of opinion.
- pungent or biting in taste: a sharp cheese.
- piercing or shrill in sound: a sharp cry.
- keenly cold, as weather: a sharp, biting wind.
- felt acutely; intense; distressing: sharp pain.
- merciless, caustic, or harsh: sharp words.
- fierce or violent: a sharp struggle.
- keen or eager: sharp desire.
- quick, brisk, or spirited.
- alert or vigilant: They kept a sharp watch for the enemy.
- mentally acute: a sharp lad.
- extremely sensitive or responsive; keen: sharp vision; sharp hearing.
- shrewd or astute: a sharp bargainer.
- shrewd to the point of dishonesty: sharp practice.
- F sharp.
- (of a tone) raised a chromatic half step in pitch:F sharp.
- above an intended pitch, as a note; too high (opposed to flat).
- very stylish: a sharp dresser; a sharp jacket.
- of, relating to, or responsive to a very narrow range of frequencies. Cf.
- fortis; voiceless.
- composed of hard, angular grains, as sand.
—v.t.
- to raise in pitch, esp. by one chromatic half step.
—v.i.
- to sound above the true pitch.
—adv.
- keenly or acutely.
- abruptly or suddenly: to pull a horse up sharp.
- punctually: Meet me at one o'clock sharp.
- vigilantly.
- briskly; quickly.
- above the true pitch: You're singing a little sharp.
—n.
- something sharp.
- Usually,a medium-length needle with a rounded eye and a sharp point, used for all-purpose hand sewing.
- a sharper.
- an expert.
-
- a tone one chromatic half step above a given tone.
- (in musical notation) the symbol ♯ indicating this.
Sharp
Pronunciation: (shärp), [key]
- (“Fiona Macleod”), 1855–?1905, Scottish poet and critic.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.