Definition of "sharp"

Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out. Indeed, a nail filed sharp is not of much avail as an arrowhead; you must have it barbed, and that was a little beyond our skill.

1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter II, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […]

If a knife which is sharp is incorrectly used it will obviously be dangerous.

1984, Michael Grater, Paper Mask Making, page 55

Fifteen children reported handling curvos, five machetes, and one a sharp knife used to cut yellow leaves off the banana plants.

2002, Carol Pier, Tainted Harvest

Yet, review of 25 years of English language literature on the subject of sharp force injury adds remarkably little to this topic. Sharp force covers a vast array of injuries produced with sharp objects capable of cutting or stabbing or both.

2006, Werner U. Spitz, Daniel J. Spitz, Russell S. Fisher, Spitz and Fisher's Medicolegal Investigation of Death

At school, despite his sharp mind, Malcolm was laughed at by teachers when he said he wanted to be a lawyer.

2015 February 20, Jesse Jackson, “In the Ferguson era, Malcolm X’s courage in fighting racism inspires more than ever”, in The Guardian (London)‎

She wakened in sharp panic, bewildered by the grotesquerie of some half-remembered dream in contrast with the harshness of inclement fact.

1914, Louis Joseph Vance, chapter II, in Nobody, New York, N.Y.: George H[enry] Doran Company, published 1915

But, as they have hitherto stood, a clergyman established in a competent living is not under the necessity of being so sharp, vigilant, and exacting.

1732, Jonathan Swift, Considerations Upon Two Bills

Not long ago, it was difficult to produce photographs of tiny creatures with every part in focus. […] A photo processing technique called focus stacking has changed that. Developed as a tool to electronically combine the sharpest bits of multiple digital images, focus stacking is a boon to biologists seeking full focus on a micron scale.

2013 July-August, Catherine Clabby, “Focus on Everything”, in American Scientist

The street down which Warwick had come intersected Front Street at a sharp angle in front of the old hotel, forming a sort of flatiron block at the junction, known as Liberty Point

1900, Charles W[addell] Chesnutt, chapter I, in The House Behind the Cedars, Boston, Mass., New York, N.Y.: Houghton, Mifflin and Company […]

Time and time again, the amateur player has lost the opportunity to make the really best move because he felt bound to follow some chess "rule" he had learned, rather than to make the sharp move which was indicated by the position.

1963, Max Euwe, Chess Master Vs. Chess Amateur, page xviii

In such situations most chess players choose the obvious and logical way: they go in for sharp play. However, not everyone is a natural attacking player […]

1975, Luděk Pachman, Decisive Games in Chess History, page 64

Sharp misery had worn him to the bones.

c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act V, scene i]

The night was Winter in his roughest mood; the morning sharp and clear.

1785, William Cowper, The Task: The Winter Walk at Noon

In sharpest perils faithful proved, Let his soul love thee to the end.

1867, John Keble, “St. Peter's Release”, in J.G.Holland, editor, Christ and the Twelve: Scenes and Events in the Life of Our Saviour and His Apostles, page 424

And fear of God, from whom their piety feign'd In sharp contest of battle found no aid Against invaders

1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost

A sharp assault already is begun;

1665, John Dryden, The Indian Emperor: Act III

Well-burnt good lime and sharp sand, if very sharp, a load of sand (about 36 bushels) to a hundred of lime (being 25 bushels, or a hundred pecks […]

1700, Edward Moxon, Mechanical Exercises

“[W]hy this last week we ha'n't had nothing at all but some dry musty red herrings; so you may think, Miss, we're kept pretty sharp!”

1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, II.iii.1

“ […] It’s child’s play to find the stuff now. I’ve half a mind to dine first.”“I don’t feel sharp,” growled Morgan.

1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London, Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883

The iron plates rang sharp, but turn'd the spear

1853, Matthew Arnold, Sohrab and Rustum

You bite so sharp at reasons.

c. 1602, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene ii]

2020 September 1, Tom Lamont, “Open at 9am sharp, Frank had waited until 11.30am for his first visitor of the day – and here I came, not with an empty shopping basket, but a reporter’s notebook.”, in The Guardian‎

If butchers had but the manners to go to sharps, gentlemen would be contented with a rubber at cuffs.

c. 1700, Jeremy Collier, On Duelling

The billiard sharp whom anyone catches / His doom's extremely hard— [...]

1885, W[illiam] S[chwenck] Gilbert, Arthur Sullivan, composer, “A More Humane Mikado”, in […] The Mikado; or, The Town of Titipu, London: Chappel & Co., […], Act II, page 36

here are good fish to be picked out of sharps and stop-holes into the water-tables

1858, Charles Kingsley, “Chalk Stream Studies”, in Fraser's Magazine

While he worked he talked to his ducks, who were waddling about hopefully, as it was almost time for the red bucket to be filled with sharps and potato-peelings.

1954, Barbara Comyns, Who Was Changed And Who Was Dead, Dorothy, published 2010, page 21

The Circle was one of the few dances the older sharps frequented; mostly they were to be found in pubs, pool-halls or at the track.

2006, Iain McIntyre, Tomorrow Is Today: Australia in the Psychedelic Era, 1966-1970

he made a shift yet to pick up a Sorry Living upon the Rook ; and not by Sharping alone , but now and then by downright Stealing

1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […]