to whet on

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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