\Shrewd\, a. [Compar. {Shrewder}; superl. {Shrewdest}.]
[Originally the p. p. of shrew, v.t.]
1. Inclining to shrew; disposing to curse or scold; hence,
   vicious; malicious; evil; wicked; mischievous; vexatious;
   rough; unfair; shrewish. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
         [Egypt] hath many shrewd havens, because of the
         great rocks that ben strong and dangerous to pass
         by.                                   --Sir J.
                                               Mandeville.
         Every of this happy number That have endured shrewd
         days and nights with us.              --Shak.
2. Artful; wily; cunning; arch.
         These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues.
                                               --Shak.
3. Able or clever in practical affairs; sharp in business;
   astute; sharp-witted; sagacious; keen; as, a shrewd
   observer; a shrewd design; a shrewd reply.
         Professing to despise the ill opinion of mankind
         creates a shrewd suspicion that we have deserved it.
                                               --Secker.
Syn: Keen; critical; subtle; artful; astute; sagacious;
     discerning; acute; penetrating.
Usage: {Shrewd}, {Sagacious}. One who is shrewd is keen to
       detect errors, to penetrate disguises, to foresee and
       guard against the selfishness of others. Shrewd is a
       word of less dignity than sagacious, which implies a
       comprehensive as well as penetrating mind, whereas
       shrewd does not. -- {Shrewd"ly}, adv. --
       {Shrewd"ness}, n.