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plural sharpeners
A device for making things sharp. examples
(figurative) That which makes something sharp. quotations examples
“Sir,” said the shepherd, “poverty is a great sharpener of the wits. […]
1795, Hannah More, The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain
The snuff-box, knife, and chicken-bones were again in requisition, and a pen was successfully formed. The ink, or at least its substitute, was rather more difficult, but necessity is always a sharpener of intellect, and even this was accomplished.
1872, Chambers's miscellany of instructive & entertaining tracts
(informal) An alcoholic drink taken at the start of the day, or just before a meal. examples