keen
keen
A simple but useful word frequently equivalent to sharp in both literal and figurative senses. Originating from old English and German words meaning bold or powerful, its meaning seams to have shifted over time.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver Proverbs 25:11
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Perry Lassiter
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Slava
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Re: keen
Good question, Perry. I looked it up and the lamentation is from Irish. The edgy one is from Old English.Is it two words? One meaning sharp, and the other to do with mourning?
Folk etymology here, but I do see a resemblance in meanings. When one is in mourning or lamenting a loss, I expect the feeling to be a rather sharp one.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.
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Perry Lassiter
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Re: keen
Doesn't keen as a verb involve a sound? The gerund keening always brings to my mind a woman rocking back and forth while groaning or such like. Does some ethnic group have a ritual keening at a death?
pl
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