sharpness

Etymology

From Middle English sharpnesse, scharpnesse, from Old English sċearpnes (“sharpness”), equivalent to sharp +‎ -ness.

Noun

sharpness (countable and uncountable, plural sharpnesses)

1. (uncountable) the cutting ability of an edge; keenness
2. (uncountable) the fineness of the point a pointed object
3. (countable) The product or result of being sharp.
4. (of food etc) pungency or acidity
5. (of an image) distinctness, focus
6. (of intelligence) acuteness or acuity
   • 2012 June 19, Phil McNulty, “England 1-0 Ukraine”, in BBC Sport‎:

     A lack of match sharpness was perhaps to blame for Rooney squandering England's best chance after 27 minutes.

7. (obsolete) edge or blade
   • 1760, John Marchant, Gent. Mr. Gordon, Daniel Bellamy, and others., A New Complete English Dictionary...‎:

     CUT-WATER, or KNEE OF THE HEAD [S.] the ſharpneſs of the head of the ſhip, below the beak;

   • ca. 1395, John Wycliffe et al., Joshua 6:21‎:

     also thei smytiden bi the scharpnesse of swerd, oxun, and scheep, and assis.