Keen. adj. [cn, Saxon; kuhn, German; koen, Dutch.]

1. Sharp; well edged; not blunt.

                 Come thick night
   That my keen knife see not the wound it makes. Shakesp.

           Here is my keen-edged sword,
   Deck'd with fine flower-de-luces on each side. Shakesp.

   To me the cries of fighting fields are charms,
   Keen be my sabre, and of proof my arms. Dryden.

   A sword keen-edg'd within his right he held,
   The warlike emblem of the conquer'd field. Dryden.

2. Severe; piercing.

                           The winds
   Blow moist, and keen, shattering the graceful locks
   Of these fair spreading trees; which bids us seek
   Some better shroud. Milton's Par. Lost, b. x.

   The cold was very supportable; but as it changed to the north-west, or north, it became excessively keen. Ellis.

3. Eager; vehement.

                 Never did I know
   A creature, that did bear the shape of man,
   So keen and greedy to confound a man. Shakespeare.

   Keen dispatch of real hunger. Milton.

   The sheep were so keen upon the acorns, that they gobbled up a piece of the coat. L'Estrange.

   Those curs are so extremely hungry, that they are too keen at the sport, and worry their game. Tatler, № 62

   This was a prospect so very inviting, that it could not be easily withstood by any who have so keen an appetite for wealth. Swift's Miscel.

4. Acrimonious; bitter of mind.

   Good father cardinal, cry thou, amen,
   To my keen curses. Shakesp. King John.

   I have known some of these absent officers as keen against Ireland, as if they had never been indebted to her. Swift.