keen

keen
{{11}}keen (adj.) c.1200, from O.E. cene "bold brave," later "clever, wise," from P.Gmc. *kan- "be able to" (see CAN (Cf. can)). Original prehistoric senses seem to have been both "brave" and "skilled;" cognate with O.N. kænn "skillful, wise," M.Du. coene "bold," Du. koen, O.H.G. kuon "pugnacious, strong," Ger. kühn "bold, daring." Sense of "eager" is from mid-14c. The meaning "sharp" is peculiar to English: of blades and edges early 13c., of sounds c.1400, of eyesight c.1720. A popular word of approval in teenager and student slang from c.1900.
{{12}}keen (v.) "lament," 1811, from Ir. caoinim "I weep, wail, lament," from O.Ir. coinim "I wail." Related: Keened; keening. As a noun from 1830.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Keen — (k[=e]n), a. [Compar. {Keener} (k[=e]n [ e]r); superl. {Keenest}.] [OE. kene sharp, bold, AS. c[=e]ne bold; akin to D. koen, OHG. kuoni, G. k[ u]hn, OSw. kyn, k[ o]n, Icel. k[ae]nn, for k[oe]nn wise; perh. akin to E. ken, can to be able. [root]45 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • keen — [kiːn] adjective 1. if competition is keen, people are trying very hard to get an advantage over others doing the same thing: • Business has become scarcer, competition keener and profit margins slimmer. • These properties are likely to attract… …   Financial and business terms

  • Keen's — Mustard is a brand that has existed since 1742 [http://www.britishempire.co.uk/media/advertising/keensmustardpack.htm] . The original maker, Keen Sons in England, became Keen Robinson Company, then was acquired in 1903 by rival mustard maker… …   Wikipedia

  • Keen — steht für: Commander Keen, Computerspiel Serie Keen (Schuhe), ein US amerikanischer Outdoor Schuhhersteller Keen ist der Nachname folgender Personen: Andrew Keen (* 1960), britisch amerikanischer Unternehmer, Autor und Internet Kritiker David… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • keen — keen1 [kēn] adj. [ME kene < OE cene, wise, learned, akin to Ger kühn, bold < IE base * ĝen , to KNOW: the principal senses spring from the basic notion “capable”] 1. having a sharp edge or point; that can cut well [a keen knife, a keen… …   English World dictionary

  • Keen'v — Nom Kevin Bonnet Naissance 31 janvier 1983 (1983 01 31) (28 ans) Rouen,  Franc …   Wikipédia en Français

  • keen on — (informal) 1. Devoted to 2. Fond of 3. Very interested in, esp romantically or sexually 4. Very desirous of • • • Main Entry: ↑keen * * * keen on 1 : very excited about and interested in (something) …   Useful english dictionary

  • Keen — may refer to the following:Video games* Commander Keen series, a video game series * Keening , the legendary sword in the video game , see Kagrenac s Tools Other * Keen Engineering * Keen Footwear See also * Keene * Keane * Keening the… …   Wikipedia

  • keen\ on — • keen about • keen on adj. phr. Very enthusiastic about someone or something. It is well known that Queen Elizabeth is keen on horses …   Словарь американских идиом

  • keen — [adj1] enthusiastic agog, alert, animate, animated, anxious, appetent, ardent, athirst, avid, breathless, devoted, dying to*, eager, earnest, ebullient, fervent, fervid, fierce, fond of, gung ho*, impassioned, impatient, intense, intent,… …   New thesaurus

  • keen — Ⅰ. keen [1] ► ADJECTIVE 1) eager; enthusiastic. 2) (keen on) interested in or attracted by. 3) (of a blade) sharp. 4) mentally acute or quick. 5) Brit. (of prices) very low; competitive …   English terms dictionary

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