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KEENNESS
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Thinness of edge or fineness of point
Synonyms:
keenness; sharpness
Classified under:
Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects
Hypernyms ("keenness" is a kind of...):
configuration; conformation; contour; form; shape (any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline))
Attribute:
sharp (having or made by a thin edge or sharp point; suitable for cutting or piercing)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "keenness"):
acuteness (the quality of having a sharp edge or point)
Derivation:
sharp (ending in a sharp point)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A quick and penetrating intelligence
Example:
I admired the keenness of his mind
Synonyms:
acuity; acuteness; keenness; sharpness
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("keenness" is a kind of...):
intelligence (the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "keenness"):
steel trap (an acute intelligence (an analogy based on the well-known sharpness of steel traps))
Derivation:
keen (having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions)
Sense 3
Meaning:
A positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
Synonyms:
avidity; avidness; eagerness; keenness
Classified under:
Nouns denoting feelings and emotions
Hypernyms ("keenness" is a kind of...):
enthusiasm (a feeling of excitement)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "keenness"):
ardor; ardour; elan; zeal (a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause))
