French Conversation · Level 102
60 words
French word
aiguiser
Pronunciation
IPA/egize/
Meaning
- verbsharpen
Example
Tu dois aiguiser ce couteau avant de cuisiner.
You have to sharpen this knife before you cook.
Core concept
A blade gaining a finer edge on a whetstone, like an idea or perception becoming sharper and more incisive.
Similar words
affûter: To sharpen a tool or knife so it cuts more effectively.
affiler: To hone a blade edge to make it finer and sharper.
Definition in French
Consiste à affûter une lame au sens concret et, au sens figuré, à rendre une impression, une curiosité ou une perception plus aiguë et plus incisive.
Word origin
Aiguiser formed from French aigu, meaning 'sharp', with the suffix -iser; aigu developed through Old French from Latin acutus.
Usage tips
- For a requested service, French uses faire aiguiser quelque chose, as in faire aiguiser le couteau, meaning to have something sharpened.