\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["a]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.]
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.
         The mower whets his scythe.           --Milton.
         Here roams the wolf, the eagle whets his beak.
                                               --Byron.
2. To make sharp, keen, or eager; to excite; to stimulate;
   as, to whet the appetite or the courage.
         Since Cassius first did whet me against C[ae]sar, I
         have not slept.                       --Shak.
{To whet on}, {To whet forward}, to urge on or forward; to
   instigate. --Shak.

\Whet\, n.
1. The act of whetting.
2. That which whets or sharpens; esp., an appetizer. ``Sips,
   drams, and whets.'' --Spectator.
{Whet slate} (Min.), a variety of slate used for sharpening
   cutting instruments; novaculite; -- called also {whetstone
   slate}, and {oilstone}.