Whetstone
/ˈwɛtˌstoʊn/noun
A stone used for sharpening knives, blades, and other cutting tools.
Did you know?The verb “whet” later developed the figurative meaning “to stimulate,” as in whetting an appetite—sharpening desire with words.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*hwatjan + *stainaz
“To sharpen + stone”
Old English
Old English
hwettan + stān
“To sharpen + stone”
Old English
Old English
hwettstān
“A stone for sharpening tools”
Middle English
Middle English
whetston(e)
“A sharpening stone”
14th Century
English
whetstone
“A stone used to sharpen cutting edges”
Modern English
English
whetstone
“A sharpening stone, often used with oil or water”