Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Shrewd
Shrewd
,Adj.
[
Com
par.
Shrewder
; sup
erl.
Shrewdest
.] [Originally the p. p. of
shrew
, v.t.] 1.
Inclining to shrew; disposing to curse or scold; hence, vicious; malicious; evil; wicked; mischievous; vexatious; rough; unfair; shrewish.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
[Egypt] hath many
shrewd
havens, because of the great rocks that ben strong and dangerous to pass by. Sir J. Mandeville.
Every of this happy number
That have endured
That have endured
shrewd
days and nights with us. Shakespeare
2.
Artful; wily; cunning; arch.
These women are
shrewd
tempters with their tongues. Shakespeare
3.
Able or clever in practical affairs; sharp in business; astute; sharp-witted; sagacious; keen;
as, a
shrewd
observer; a shrewd
design; a shrewd
reply.Professing to despise the ill opinion of mankind creates a
shrewd
suspicion that we have deserved it. Secker.
Syn. – Keen; critical; subtle; artful; astute; sagacious; discerning; acute; penetrating.
– Shrewd
, Sagacious
. One who is shrewd is keen to detect errors, to penetrate disguises, to foresee and guard against the selfishness of others. Shrewd is a word of less dignity than sagacious, which implies a comprehensive as well as penetrating mind, whereas shrewd does not. Shrewd′ly
, adv.
Shrewd′ness
, Noun.
Webster 1828 Edition
Shrewd
SHREWD
,Adj.
1. Having the qualities of a shrew; vexatious; troublesome; mischievous. Obs.
2. Sly; cunning; arch; subtil; artful; astute; as a shrewd man.
3. Sagacious; of nice discernment; as a shrewd observer of men.
4. Proceeding from cunning or sagacity, or containing it; as a shrewd saying; a shrewd conjecture.
5. Painful; vexatious; troublesome.
Every of this number
That have endured shrewd nights and days with us. Obs. Shak.
No enemy is so despicable but he may do one a shrewd turn. Obs.