keen^*kin(adj.)-er, -est.

1. finely sharpened; so shaped as to cut or pierce readily:

   a keen razor.

2. sharp, piercing, or biting:

   a keen wind.

3. acutely or finely perceptive; extremely sensitive, responsive, or alert:

   keen ears; a keen mind.

4. having great acumen; astute:

   a keen observer of human nature.

5. animated by strong feeling or desire:

   keen competition.

6. intense, as feeling or desire.

7. eager; interested; enthusiastic (often fol. by about, on, etc., or an infinitive):

   I was keen to go swimming.

8. Slang. great; wonderful; marvelous.

   Category: Status (usage)

^* Syn: See sharp.

Origin of keen:

bef. 900; ME kene, OE cēne; c. OHG chuoni bold, ON kŒnn wise, skillful

keen′ness(n.)

keenkin(n.)

1. a wailing lament for the dead.

2. (v.i.)to wail in lamentation for the dead.

3. (v.t.)to bewail or lament by or with keening.

Origin of keen:

1805–15; < Ir caoine lament

keen′er(n.)