shrewdadj.

Brit.

/ʃruːd/, U.S.

/ʃrud/

Forms: α. Middle English schrewid(e, shrewid, schrewd(e, Middle English–1500s schrewed(e, Middle English–1600s shrewed(e, shrewde, shreude, Middle English–1500s schrewyd, (Middle English schreuyt, 1500s shreawd, schrewit), Middle English–1700s shreud, 1500s–1700s shrew'd, Middle English– shrewd. β. Middle English schrod, Middle English–1500s schrode, Middle English–1600s shrode, 1500s schroyd, 1500s–1600s shroud, shrowd(e, shrow'd, shroad, 1600s shrote, 1800s dialect srode. γ. Middle English scherewed, Middle English sherewd.

Etymology: Middle English schrewed-e , etc., probably originally < shrew n.² (? or shrew n.¹) + -ed suffix². Compare crabbed , dogged , wicked (all early Middle English); the two former suggest the possibility that the animal (n.¹) is alluded to. This formation coincided with the past participle of shrew v., which may be the source of some of the senses; compare the similar use of cursed.

a. Of persons, their qualities, actions, etc.: Depraved, wicked; evil-disposed, malignant. Passing into a weaker sense: Malicious, mischievous. dialect.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > ill-nature > [adjective]

shrew1297

shrewd13..

maliciousc1330

ill-disposedc1460

shrewishc1480

indisposed1481

misaffectionate1533

unsavoury1568

ill-conditioned1614

ill-natured1645

unamiable1711

malignant1785

ill-thriven1806

nasty1825

beastly1911

the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > ill-nature > [adjective]

shrew1297

shrewd13..

maliciousc1330

ill-disposedc1460

shrewishc1480

indisposed1481

unsavoury1568

ill-natured1656

unamiable1774

ill-thriven1806

nasty1825

α.

1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 4904 Ryche men haue shrewed sonys,—Shrewys yn dede and yn sawe.

13.. Lay Folks Catech. (MS. L) 139 Envye to oure neyȝbore with oþer schrewde castys.

c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. II. 349 Sclaundris and oþir shrewid wordis.

?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 7742 A schrewyd counsaile toke þai þan.

?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 7330 Þe schrewed sonn of þe fende.

c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 1079 Fawnus..Was set oppon a purpose to make his sone leue All his shrewd tacchis.

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur ix. xviii. 366 Whan he dyd ony shrewd dede they wold bete hym with roddes.

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 35/1 Thenemye the fende with his angellis cursed and shrewd.

c1490 W. Caxton Rule St. Benet 122 Kepe euer your tongue from euyll and shrewde langage, & speke lytyll & well.

1548 T. Cranmer Catechismus sig. Xv Our owne euyl workes, and shrewed wylles.

1570 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xviii. 62 Schrewit is that seruice ȝe haif schawin to ȝour King.

1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream ii. i. 33 That shrewde and knauish sprite, Call'd Robin goodfellow.

1615 J. Day Festivals 29 How do they pule & cry? nay, how wil they shew a shrewd stomach or ever they can go or speake?

1637 J. Milton Comus 29 All urchin blasts, and ill lucke signes That the shrewd medling elfe delights to make.

1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. Shrewd (s'roa·d),..(shr'oa·d),..badly-disposed; wicked; vicious. ‘'E's gwun a despert srōde lad.’

β. 1547 A. Borde Breuiary of Helthe cccxxix Beware of anger, for it is a shrode hert that maketh al the body fare the worse.1606 T. Dekker Seuen Deadly Sinnes London iii. sig. D4^v Drunkards, Vnthriftes and shrote Husbands.γ. 13.. Beues (A.) 4498 Þar was a Lombard in þe toun, Þat was scherewed & feloun.14.. Chaucer's H. Fame (Caxton) 275 Ther may be vnder goodlyhede Couerd many a sherewd vyce.

†b. Of children: Naughty. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > [adjective] > of children

wanton1533

shrewd1548

naughtya1633

bratty1961

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. a^v They ben called capitall vices, bycause other shrewde chyldren ryseth of them.]

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry IV f. ix Experience teacheth, that..of a shreude boye, proueth a good man.

1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health cii. 89 I haue knowen..many a shreude boye for the desire of Apples, to haue broken into other folkes orchardes.

1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 12 He [Cupid] hath been fiue thousand yeere a Boy. Kath. I and a shrowde vnhappie gallowes too.

1645 Bp. J. Hall Remedy Discontentm. xv. 77 The best of us are but shrewd children.

†c. Of animals: Of evil disposition, bad-tempered; vicious, fierce; = cursed adj. 4b. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > by nature > [adjective] > wild or vicious

wildc725

wrothOE

keenOE

ramagec1300

fell?c1335

furiousc1374

fierce1377

ramageousa1398

eagerc1405

savage1447

naughtyc1460

criminal1477

ill1480

shrewd1509

mankind1519

roidc1540

mad1565

horn-mad1579

fierceful1607

man-keen1607

indomite1617

fellish1638

ferocious1646

ferousa1652

ferinea1676

kwaai1827

skelm1827

1509 H. Watson tr. S. Brant Shyppe of Fooles (de Worde) vi. sig. B.vii Oftentymes a mylde bytche bryngeth forth shrewed whelpes.

a1533 J. Frith Against Rastel (?1535–6) sig. Dii And maye be likened to a shrowd cowe whiche whan she hath geven a large messe of milke torneth it don with her hele.

1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. x. sig. Civ^v God sendth the shrewd cow short hornes.

1547 W. Baldwin Treat. Morall Phylos. iv. sig. Qiii^v As to a shrewde horse belongeth a sharpe brydle: so oughte a shrewde wyfe to be sharpely handeled.

1607 G. Markham Cavelarice ii. 96 The practise of some Horse-men..to tie a shrewd Cat to a Poale, with her heade and feete at libertie, and so thrusting it vnder the horses bellye,..to make her..clawe him.

1630 M. Drayton Noahs Floud in Muses Elizium 97 [They] together sat By the shrewd Muncky, Babian, and the Ape.

†2. Of material things (esp. animals): Mischievous, hurtful; dangerous, injurious. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > [adjective] > harmful or injurious

litherc893

scathefulc900

orneOE

teenfulOE

atterlichc1050

evilc1175

wicka1250

scathela1300

deringa1325

unkindc1330

harmfula1340

ill1340

wicked1340

shrewdc1380

noisomea1382

venomed1382

noyfulc1384

damageousc1386

infectivea1398

unwholesomea1400

annoying?c1400

mischievous1414

damnablec1420

contagiousc1430

mischievable?a1439

damagefulc1449

damageable1474

unhappy1474

nuisable1483

nocible1490

nuisible1490

nuisant1494

noxiousa1500

nocent?c1500

hurtful1526

sinistral1534

nocive1538

offendent1547

offensivea1548

dangerous1548

naughtya1555

dispendious1557

offensible1575

wrackful1578

baneful1579

hindersome1580

scandalizing1593

damnifiable1604

taking1608

toadish1611

illful1613

nocivousc1616

mischieving1621

nocuous1627

obnoxious1638

nocumentous1644

vicious1656

nocumental1657

abnoxious1680

dungeonable1691

offending1694

hurtsomea1699

nociferous1706

sinister1726

damnific1727

hazardous1748

slaughtering1811

damaging1856

damnous1870

lethal1942

the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > harmful mischievousness > [adjective] > thing

shrewdc1380

c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 4431 An Axe had he þan an-honde, A shrewedere wepene for-to fonde, Was neuere non yfounde.

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 335 Wel schrewed mys [L. mures nocentissimos].

1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) v. xxviii Blaynes..comeþ of schrewed and corrupt humours.

1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 20 Þoru busschis and bromes þis beste.. Secheth and sercheth þo schrewed wormes.

c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) v. 46 Egipt is a strong Contree: for it hathe manye schrewede Havenes, because of the grete Roches.

c1450 Robyn & Gandeleyn vi, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1888) III. v There cam a schrewde arwe out of þe west.

1493 Festyvall 31 b They wyll slee theym with a shrewed knyfe. That is with the euyll and cursed tonge.

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II iii. ii. 55 To lifte shrewd steele against our golden crowne.

1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 98 An Ante..is a shrewd thing, in an Orchard or garden.

a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1959) IV. 54 The Buls of Babylon, the shrewdest Buls of all, in temporall, in spirituall persecutions.

†3.

a. Of things (chiefly immaterial): Of evil nature, character, or influence; ill-conditioned, bad, vile. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > moral evil > [adjective]

unfairc888

missOE

ungoodc1000

quedec1275

wondlichc1275

badc1330

divers1340

quedeful1340

shrewdc1384

lewdc1386

ungoodly1390

diverse1393

noughta1400

imperfectc1400

noughtyc1400

unblesseda1425

sinister1474

naughty?a1500

podea1522

naught1536

pelsy1785

the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > evil thing > [adjective]

shrewdc1384

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke iii. 5 Schrewide thingis [L. prava] schulen be in to dressid thingis.

c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 2613 They have a custom, a shrewid for þe nonys, Yf eny of hem sey a thing, they cry all attonys.

1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 94 At thi shrewed ws thow wenys me to leid.

1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ii. viii. 57 The eddir, with schrewit herbis fed.

?1520 J. Rastell Nature .iiii. Element sig. Biij Though he loke neuer so well I promyse you he hath a shrewde smell.

1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer ii. f. cccxli^v Right so he is a shrewe on whom shreude thynges & badde han most werchynge.

c1535 Frere & Boy 283 The good wyffe sayd, wer hast thou be? In schrewyd plas as thynkys me.

1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 16 There are shrewd books, with dangerous Frontispices set to sale.

1678 in O. Airy Lauderdale Papers (1885) III. 140 His Maj^tie did highly signify his displeasure against Sir William Lowther... The shreud effects whereof he has since tasted.

b. Of reputation, opinion, meaning: Evil, bad, unfavourable. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > [adjective]

evilc1330

shrewdc1384

ill1483

c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame 1619 Y graunte yow That ye shal haue a shrewde fame And wikkyd loos.

1527 in J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1881) I. 523 (note) Some of them, as Master Dean hath known a long time, hath had a shrewd name.

1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Commode To be ill reported of: to haue a shrewde name.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) ii. ii. 216 Shee enlargeth her mirth so farre, that there is shrewd construction made of her.

1621 T. W. tr. S. Goulart Wise Vieillard 82 Many men..giue good things a shrewd vnhappie, and wrong name.

1664 H. More Apol. 491 That spirit is not of God, but in some shreud sense or other is the spirit of Antichrist.

c. Poor, unsatisfactory. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > inferior thing > [adjective]

salec1299

bastarda1348

sorry1372

slight1393

shrewd1426

singlec1449

backc1450

soberc1450

lesser1464

silly?a1500

starven1546

mockado1577

subaltern1578

bastardly1583

wooden1592

starved1604

perishing1605

starveling1611

minor1612

starvy1647

potsherd1655

low1727

la-la1800

waif1824

lathen1843

one-eyed1843

snide1859

bobbery1873

jerkwater1877

low-grade1878

shoddy1882

tinhorn1886

jerk1893

cheapie1898

shaganappi1900

buckeye1906

reach-me-down1907

pissy1922

crappy1928

cruddy1935

el cheapo1967

pound shop1989

α.

1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 21126 Thow hast..Mad a shrewde marchaundyse.

1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur ix. xxiv. 375 There is shrewde herberowe,..lodge where ye will, for I wille not lodge there.

1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. viii. 17 They will make a shrewde marchaundyce for vs.

?1562 Thersytes sig. A.iv He that should medle with me shall haue shrewde rest.

1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus Coenare malum.., to suppe with sorow and shrewde rest.

a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. vi. sig. E2^v The Helots..would haue giuen a shrewd welcome to the [invading] Arcadians.

β. a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1616) sig. E2 By Lady sir, you haue had a shroud iourney of it.1593 Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 8 You might haue tooke better heede, and It was your owne fault, are two shrode plasters for a greene wound.

d. In bad physical condition (the precise meaning varying with the application); in bad order; ugly; tough. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [adjective]

undisposedc1380

sicka1425

shrewdc1430

crazy1583

unsound1617

vitiated1620

depravate1665

depraveda1807

sickly1826

the mind > attention and judgement > lack of beauty > ugliness > [adjective]

foulOE

uglyc1386

malgraciousa1393

unsightlya1400

loathc1400

ouglec1415

shrewdc1430

unsightyc1440

unwholesome?a1500

evil-favoured1530

ill-favoured1530

uglisome1530

huggeda1533

hard-favoureda1535

evil-liking1535

ill-favorited1579

stigmatical1589

stigmatic1597

sightlessa1616

hard-featured1638

grislya1681

bad-looking1757

unmackly1765

unfavourable1776

dissightly1777

eyesore1798

wavelled1886

spiderly1891

Plain Jane1912

hackit1985

c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) ii. cxxvi. 123 j can with good vynture enoynte a shrewede wheel that cryeth.

a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Di^v With a shrewde face vilis Imago.

1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xviii. 26) A shrewd knot must haue a shrewd wedge [L. malo nodo quærendum esse malum cuneum].

1593 Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 34 The young tree will stoup, when the old shrewd cannot bend.

†4. Of events, affairs, conditions: Fraught or attended with evil or misfortune; having injurious or dangerous consequences; vexatious, irksome, hard; (of a task) difficult, dangerous. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > [adjective]

plightlyOE

wothea1300

perilousc1300

wickeda1375

plightfula1400

dreadfulc1400

parlous?a1425

shrewd1482

danger1488

dangerous1490

periculous1533

dangerful1548

dangersome1567

craggy1582

perilsome1593

endangering1601

unsafe1621

imperilous1645

ugly1654

warm1726

neck-break1756

wanchancy1768

uncanny1785

unchancy1786

nasty1828

unhealthy1915

windy1919

the world > action or operation > adversity > [adjective] > attended by or causing affliction

eileOE

soreOE

unselec1050

evilc1175

derfa1225

stourc1275

feeble1297

illa1325

fella1400

unhappya1400

unwealful1412

importunea1425

noisomea1450

shrewd1482

importunable?c1485

importunate1490

funestal1538

nippingc1550

troublesome1552

pinching1563

grievesome1568

afflicting1573

afflictive1576

pressing1591

lacerating1609

funest1636

funestous1641

gravaminous1659

unkind1682

plightful1721

damning1798

acanthocladous1858

damnatory1858

fraught1966

the world > action or operation > difficulty > [adjective]

arvethc885

uneathOE

arvethlichc1000

evilc1175

hardc1175

deara1225

derfa1225

illc1330

wickeda1375

uneasy1398

difficul?a1450

difficile?1473

difficulta1527

unready1535

craggy1582

spiny1604

tough1619

uphill1622

shrewda1626

spinousa1638

scabrous1646

spinose1660

rugged1663

cranka1745

tight1764

thraward1818

nasty1828

upstream1847

awkward1860

pricklyc1862

bristling1871

sticky1871

rocky1873

dodgy1898

challengeful1927

solid1943

ball-busting1944

challenging1975

α.

1508 J. Stanbridge Vulgaria (W. de W.) B vj It is shrewed to Iape with naked swerdes.

1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid v. ix. 64 The feirfull spa men therof pronosticate Schrewit chancis to betyde.

a1533 J. Frith in Test. W. Tracie (1535) sig. Ciij^v Those holye fathers were in shrewde case which contynewinge in longe penurye, skant lefte at their departinge a halfe penye.

1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) II. 2119/2 I aduise thee, beware of the fire, it is a shrewd matter to burne.

1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 711 Strangers haue more shrewd entertainment, and scarsely in twentie daies..can shake off this Shaker [ague].

a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. v. 14 Ah fowle, shrew'd newes.

a1626 W. Rowley New Wonder (1632) iii. i. E 3 Sir, 'tis a shrewd taske.

a1627 T. Middleton More Dissemblers besides Women iii. ii, in 2 New Playes (1657) 44 By'r Lady a shrewd business, and a dangerous.

a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1954) VII. 387 That King, that comes after a good Predecessour, hath a shrewd burthen upon him.

1821 J. Baillie Lady G. Baillie in Metrical Legends liv The times are shrewd, my treasures spent.

β. 1482 in H. E. Malden Cely Papers (1900) 108 Wee fere here that ther weil be schrode passage to thys Balling martt.1536 in State Papers Henry VIII (1834) II. 355 I promes you I am in a schroyd case, oneles the Kinges highe Majestie..do see redresse in suche causes.a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 53 Yf the yomanry of englond were not, in tyme of warre, we schold be in schrode case.1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 11 This singulariti in philosophi is like to grow to a shrode matter.

5. shrewd turn:

a. A mischievous or malicious act. archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > harm, injury, or wrong > [noun] > action > a bad turn

shrewd turn1464

office1575

disservice1611

disoffice1624

evil turn1647

diskindness1678

bad turn1886

a shot in the eye1897

the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > harmful action > [noun] > instance > done to another

shrewd turn1464

disservice1611

disoffice1624

diskindness1678

the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > spitefulness > spiteful action > [noun] > instance of

thuckec1230

malicec1350

shrewd turn1464

serpentine?1510

pranka1529

the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > spite, malice > [noun] > active > instance of

thuckec1230

malicec1350

shrewd turn1464

serpentine?1510

pranka1529

1464 J. Pampyng in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 298 He wold do Debenham a shrewd turne and he coud.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 712/2 I provoke..him to do a shreude tourne.

1593 Passionate Morrice in Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 76 As a dogge doth that is crept into a hole, hauing done a shroude turne.

1660 Bp. J. Taylor Ductor Dubitantium I. ii. i. Rule 5 §3 They can doe a good turne or a shrewd.

1702 Eng. Theophrastus 204 No enemy is so despicable but some time or other he may do a body a shrewd turn.

1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 223 That Town owed us a shrewd Turn for having handled them coarsely.

†b. A piece of misfortune, an accident. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [noun] > misfortune or ill-luck > instance of misfortune or ill-luck > a mishap or unlucky accident

mistideOE

unhapc1230

chancea1300

mischancec1325

mishapa1387

accident?1490

casualtya1513

shrewd turn1565

casuality1574

misaccident1620

mishanter1754

contretemps1809

bust-up1841

pratfall1941

snafu1943

1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Fero Infortunium ferre,..to haue a shrewde turne.

1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. ii. 9 They are..sent to the schoole to keepe them..from danger, and shrewd turnes.

1642 D. Rogers Naaman 282 The nurses eie attends the feeble infant, for feare of shrewd turnes.

6. As an intensive, qualifying a word denoting something in itself bad, irksome, or undesirable: Grievous, serious, ‘sore’.

†a. of injury, loss, disease, etc. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > [adjective] > extremely

outrageousa1325

malignc1350

shrewda1387

malignant1568

the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > severity > [adjective]

heavyc825

grimc900

strongeOE

hardeOE

drearyOE

eileOE

sweerOE

deara1000

bitterOE

tartc1000

smartOE

unridec1175

sharp?c1225

straitc1275

grievousc1290

fellc1330

shrewda1387

snella1400

unsterna1400

vilea1400

importunea1425

ungainc1425

thrallc1430

peisant1483

sore?a1513

weighty1540

heinous?1541

urgent?1542

asperous?1567

dure1567

spiny1586

searching1590

hoara1600

vengible1601

flinty1613

tugging1642

atrocious1733

uncannya1774

severe1774

stern1830

punishing1833

hefty1867

solid1916

the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > [adjective] > severe

heavya1000

tartc1000

unridec1175

unsoftc1275

uglya1300

smartc1300

sternc1300

cruelc1384

sharpc1386

shrewda1387

snella1400

painousa1450

painlyc1460

sensible1502

terrible1509

heinous?1541

severe1747

α.

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 357 Þe evel þat hatte ficus, þat is a schrewed evel.

1461 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 520 Ther was shrewd rewle toward in this cuntre.

1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes i. f. 132^v He gaue a shrewd checke to y^e vnmeasurable praiser.

1592 Soliman & P. 426 A shrewd losse, by my faith, sir.

1606 G. Chapman Gentleman Vsher ii. sig. B4^v I haue been hanted..with a shrewd feuer.

1609 G. Archer in S. Purchas Pilgrims (1625) IV. 1734 Some three or foure dayes after her, came in the Swallow,..and had a shrewd leake.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) ii. iii. 41 Humfrey, Duke of Gloster, scarce himselfe, That beares so shrewd a mayme.

1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes i. Intermeane 73 in Wks. II O, but the poore man had got a shrewd mischance, one day.

1658 W. Johnson tr. F. Würtz Surgeons Guid iii. x. 248 A Wound closed up, where a piece of the vein is yet unhealed,..will cause shrewd Imposthumes.

1713 Countess of Winchilsea Misc. Poems 180 Meeting with a shrew'd mischance.

1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe xxxi That is a shrewd loss.

β. 1482 in H. E. Malden Cely Papers (1900) 112 Hytt woll be a shrode losse.1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 441 With shrowde fines eftsoones redoubled, if not answered.1612 N. Field Woman a Weather-cocke ii. i Mrs. Wag...Haulke, hauke. [Coughs and spits.] Page. Shee has a shrowde reach, I see that.1623 W. Bradford Hist. Plymouth Plant. (1856) 150 His father suffered a shrowd check.

†b. of temptation. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1601 A. Munday & H. Chettle Death Earle of Huntington sig. I^v I know thou shalt be offerd wealth (Which is a shrewde inticement in sad want).

1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iii. 437 A shroud bait to tempt his hungry souldiers to sacriledge.

1696 W. Whiston Disc. conc. Mosaick Hist. Creation 61 in New Theory of Earth They were under a shrewd Temptation of thinking very meanly of the Bible it self.

†c. Qualifying an agent-noun. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1576 A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. 171 (margin) Timorousnesse a shrewd hinderer of enterprises.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) i. iii. 102 These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues.

d. ‘Hard to beat’, formidable. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective]

faireOE

bremea1000

goodlyOE

goodfulc1275

noblec1300

pricec1300

specialc1325

gentlec1330

fine?c1335

singulara1340

thrivena1350

thriven and throa1350

gaya1375

properc1380

before-passinga1382

daintiful1393

principala1398

gradelya1400

burlyc1400

daintyc1400

thrivingc1400

voundec1400

virtuousc1425

hathelc1440

curiousc1475

singlerc1500

beautiful1502

rare?a1534

gallant1539

eximious1547

jolly1548

egregious?c1550

jellyc1560

goodlike1562

brawc1565

of worth1576

brave?1577

surprising1580

finger-licking1584

admirablea1586

excellinga1586

ambrosial1598

sublimated1603

excellent1604

valiant1604

fabulous1609

pure1609

starryc1610

topgallant1613

lovely1614

soaringa1616

twanging1616

preclarent1623

primea1637

prestantious1638

splendid1644

sterling1647

licking1648

spankinga1666

rattling1690

tearing1693

famous1695

capital1713

yrare1737

pure and —1742

daisy1757

immense1762

elegant1764

super-extra1774

trimming1778

grand1781

gallows1789

budgeree1793

crack1793

dandy1794

first rate1799

smick-smack1802

severe1805

neat1806

swell1810

stamming1814

divine1818

great1818

slap-up1823

slapping1825

high-grade1826

supernacular1828

heavenly1831

jam-up1832

slick1833

rip-roaring1834

boss1836

lummy1838

flash1840

slap1840

tall1840

high-graded1841

awful1843

way up1843

exalting1844

hot1845

ripsnorting1846

clipping1848

stupendous1848

stunning1849

raving1850

shrewd1851

jammy1853

slashing1854

rip-staving1856

ripping1858

screaming1859

up to dick1863

nifty1865

premier cru1866

slap-bang1866

clinking1868

marvellous1868

rorty1868

terrific1871

spiffing1872

all wool and a yard wide1882

gorgeous1883

nailing1883

stellar1883

gaudy1884

fizzing1885

réussi1885

ding-dong1887

jim-dandy1888

extra-special1889

yum-yum1890

out of sight1891

outasight1893

smooth1893

corking1895

large1895

super1895

hot dog1896

to die for1898

yummy1899

deevy1900

peachy1900

hi1901

v.g.1901

v.h.c.1901

divvy1903

doozy1903

game ball1905

goodo1905

bosker1906

crackerjack1910

smashinga1911

jake1914

keen1914

posh1914

bobby-dazzling1915

juicy1916

pie on1916

jakeloo1919

snodger1919

whizz-bang1920

wicked1920

four-star1921

wow1921

Rolls-Royce1922

whizz-bang1922

wizard1922

barry1923

nummy1923

ripe1923

shrieking1926

crazy1927

righteous1930

marvy1932

cool1933

plenty1933

brahmaa1935

smoking1934

solid1935

mellow1936

groovy1937

tough1937

bottler1938

fantastic1938

readyc1938

ridge1938

super-duper1938

extraordinaire1940

rumpty1940

sharp1940

dodger1941

grouse1941

perfecto1941

pipperoo1945

real gone1946

bosting1947

supersonic1947

whizzo1948

neato1951

peachy-keen1951

ridgey-dite1953

ridgy-didge1953

top1953

whizzing1953

badass1955

wild1955

belting1956

magic1956

bitching1957

swinging1958

ridiculous1959

a treat1959

fab1961

bad-assed1962

uptight1962

diggish1963

cracker1964

marv1964

radical1964

bakgat1965

unreal1965

pearly1966

together1968

safe1970

bad1971

brilliant1971

fabby1971

schmick1972

butt-kicking1973

ripper1973

Tiffany1973

bodacious1976

rad1976

kif1978

awesome1979

death1979

killer1979

fly1980

shiok1980

stonking1980

brill1981

dope1981

to die1982

mint1982

epic1983

kicking1983

fabbo1984

mega1985

ill1986

posho1989

pukka1991

lovely jubbly1992

awesomesauce2001

nang2002

bess2006

amazeballs2009

boasty2009

daebak2009

beaut2013

1851 G. Borrow Lavengro xii I was now a shrewd walker, thanks to constant practice.

†e. As a vague intensive. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > very great or extreme

strangec1380

overpassinga1382

passinga1387

most?c1430

extremec1460

horriblea1464

violenta1500

mainc1540

immortal?c1550

exquisite1552

sore1555

three-piled1598

thundering1618

devilish1639

shrewda1643

deadly1660

woundy1681

vast1696

monstrous1711

mortal1716

terrific1743

hell-fired1754

hellish1764

colossal1794

severe1805

awful1818

all-fired1829

terrible1829

quare and1847

ferocious1877

pluperfect1889

raging1889

giddy1896

utter1898

stiff1905

a1643 W. Cartwright Ordinary (1651) iv. i. 58 Cast. He threw twice twelve. Cred. By'r Lady a shrewd many.

†7. Of persons and their actions: Severe, harsh, stern. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > strictness > [adjective] > severe or stern

wrothc893

retheeOE

stithc897

starkOE

sternOE

hardOE

dangerous?c1225

sharpa1340

asperc1374

austerec1384

shrewda1387

snella1400

sternful?a1400

unsterna1400

dour?a1425

piquant1521

tetrical1528

tetric1533

sorea1535

rugged?1548

severe1548

hard-handed1611

Catonian1676

tetricous1727

heavy1849

acerbic1853

stiff1856

Catonic1883

tough1905

the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > harshness or severity > [adjective]

heavyc825

retheeOE

stithc897

hardeOE

starkOE

sternOE

dangerous?c1225

sharp?c1225

unsoftc1275

sturdy1297

asperc1374

austerec1384

shrewda1387

snella1400

sternful?a1400

dour?a1425

thrallc1430

piquant1521

tetrical1528

tetric1533

sorea1535

rugged?1548

severe1548

iron1574

harsh1579

strict1600

angry1650

Catonian1676

Draconic1708

tetricous1727

alkaline1789

acerbic1853

stiff1856

acerbate1869

acerbitous1870

Draconian1876

Catonic1883

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 379 Oure men beeþ schrewed and angry inow to hem self, but in Goddes seruauntes þey leye neuere no hond.

1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) x. l. 730 The Captane than a schrewed ansuer him gaiff.

a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. xvi. sig. Z7^v She being sharp-set vpon the fulfilling of a shrewde office, in ouer-looking Philoclea.

1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxvii. xxxiv. 654 The hard and shrewd dealings of a mans countrie.

1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. vi. 133 The Bishop..gave him..such a shrewd remembrance, partly with words, and partly with his crosier staffe.

8. Severe, sharp, hard.

a. Of a blow, wound. archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > [adjective] > wounded > seriously or mortally wounded > of wound: severe

shrewd1596

1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 26 They..gauen hym many a shrewde stroke.

a1500 Brut 593 This shal be þe shrewdest bofet þat euer thow yovyst.

1596 T. Lodge Wits Miserie (1879) 92 Hee [the devil] will giue a shroud wound with his tongue.

1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. iv. 211 Me thought a made a shrewd thrust at your belly.

1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 39 Many..were drowned, or forced on shore with shrewd hurts, and bruises.

a1713 T. Ellwood Hist. Life (1714) 237 He struck her with the Stick, a shrewd Blow over the Breast.

1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 8 Those shrewd thrusts, that flashing scorn, that relentless fire, those downright grapples, with which the hated Voltaire pushed on his work of ‘crushing the Infamous’.

1885 V. L. Cameron Across Afr. (ed. 2) xvi. 224 One or two got some shrewd knocks.

†b. Of conflict or effort. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [adjective] > carried on violently

stithc1000

strongOE

starkOE

storlicc1275

stourc1275

sharpc1381

stalwartc1420

sturdya1450

sorea1500

vehement1531

shrewd1576

perperacute1647

furied1878

1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 43 To abide other bitter bruntes and shrewde skirmishes of aduersitie.

1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 111 Foure thousand men would have made a shrewd adventure to have taken his Indies from him.

1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 366 Many a shrewd brush did some of the Townsmen meet with from them.

1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 21 They adventure with better force, and in shrewder Battels.

9. Sharp, piercing, keen.

a. Of a weapon or the like; also of pain. archaic. (After Shakespeare: see quot. 1597 at sense 2.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > types of pain > [adjective] > smarting or stinging

smartingOE

biting1340

stingingc1400

mordicant?a1425

pungitive?a1425

raw1590

pungent1598

stanging1602

stingyc1615

scorpiaca1670

verberous1688

shrewd1842

snapping1845

stounding1848

mordant1876

smartful1906

the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > of action: involving or requiring vigour > vigorous or intense in operation

strongeOE

smartc1300

steevec1300

keen1340

piercinga1400

perceantc1400

forta1513

incisive1528

vigorous1548

forcible1555

emphatical1581

searching1590

nervous1616

strenuous1632

arrowy1650

intent1650

urging1658

sinewous1663

emphatic1689

drastic1808

needling1839

shrewd1842

gimlet1894

the world > space > shape > sharpness of edge or point > [adjective]

sharpc825

bitel?c1200

keena1225

carving?c1225

fellc1330

trenchantc1330

snarpc1480

cuttinga1533

tart?a1534

undullc1540

steel-sharpa1560

teen1578

unrebated1579

unbated1604

biting1607

eager?1611

unblunted1656

shrewd1878

cutty1903

society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > [adjective]

finec1400

keen-edgeda1616

shrewd1878

1842 Ld. Tennyson St. Simeon Stylites in Poems (new ed.) II. 62 A sting of shrewdest pain Ran shrivelling thro' me.

1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxxxiii. 5 A shrewder stimulus arms her, Anger.

1878 R. Browning Two Poets of Croisic in La Saisiaz & Two Poets of Croisic 107 Sharpest shrewdest steel that ever stabbed To death Imposture.

b. Of the air, wind, weather.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [adjective] > sharp or bitter

fellc1330

snithinga1350

sharpc1435

hoar?a1500

sneaping1598

shrewd1603

bittera1616

snithe1671

cutting1798

stingy1823

1642 D. Rogers Naaman 96 There comes a shrewd right winde, and gets into the hollow of the tree.

1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 581 All plants..that can endure The winter's frown, if screen'd from his shrewd bite.

1824 W. Irving Tales of Traveller I. 23 The night was shrewd and windy.

1849 Rossetti Ruggiero & Angelica 9 The sky is harsh, and the sea shrewd and salt.

1864 J. R. Lowell Fireside Trav. 337 That shrewd Yorkshire atmosphere.

1894 S. R. Crockett Raiders xviii. 159 The air was shrewd as it breathed from the north.

advb.1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iv. 1 The ayre bites shrewd [1604 shroudly]; it is an eager and An nipping winde.

c. Of sound: Harsh. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > harsh or discordant quality > [adjective]

hardOE

rudea1375

stern1390

rougha1400

discordanta1425

stoutc1440

hoarse1513

harsh1530

raughtish1567

rugged1567

dissonant1573

harshy1582

jarry1582

immelodious1601

cragged1605

raggeda1616

unmusicala1616

absonousa1620

unharmoniousa1634

inharmonical1683

unharmonic1694

inharmonious1715

craggy1774

pebbly1793

reedy1795

iron1807

dry1819

inharmonic1828

asperated1835

sawing1851

shrewd1876

coarse1879

callithumpian1886

dissonantal1946

ear-bending1946

sandpaper1953

1876 A. C. Swinburne Erechtheus 10 The song-notes of our fear, Shrewd notes and shrill, not clear or joyful-sounding.

†10.

a. Of a sign, token, etc.: Of ill omen, ominous; hence, strongly indicative (of something unfavourable).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [adjective] > inauspicious > of omens, signs, etc.

traversanta1500

shrewd1577

sinister1579

traversary1851

the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > an omen, sign, portent > [adjective] > of evil omen

portentousc1487

shrewd1577

sinister1579

luckless1584

fatal1590

portentive1594

inauspicious1599

misboding1607

mal-ominous1612

ill-bodinga1616

unauspiciousa1616

portentful1633

ill-aboding1635

ill-omened1685

1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 177 Be sure to marke them well..whether they goe all out or no: for yf they doo, it is a shrewde signe they wyll away.

1619 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus (new ed.) ii. 8 Bitternesse [is] a shrewd signe of a bad cause.

a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1958) IX. 229 If our own heart..condemne us, this is shrewd evidence, saies S. Iohn.

1691 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. 186 'Tis a shrewd Symptom of an ill habit of Body.

1692 S. Patrick Answer to Touchstone of Reformed Gospel 262 We hear not a word of Fathers to countenance this Doctrine, which is a shrow'd sign it is so far from being Ancient, that they speak directly against it.

1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron II. vi. xvii. 62 When a Man is against Reason, it is a shrewd sign Reason is against him.

b. Of probability, etc. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adjective] > of probability: strong

shrewd1542

1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes i. f. 149 A good plain maner of knowelage geuyng it was & a shrewd likelyhood.

1619 W. Sclater Expos. 1 Thess. v. 554 To array our selues..aboue our Calling [is] no lesse then Pride; at least a shrewd species and appearance of it.

1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Moralists ii. 52 If Pain be Ill..we have..a shrewd Chance on the ill side, but none at all on the better.

11. Of a piece of evidence: Hard to get over, ‘awkward’, damaging. archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > contrary evidence > [adjective] > of evidence: damaging

shrewd1606

1606 P. Holland in tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars Annot. 4 If his Questour or Treasurer had beene condemned, it would haue beene a shrewde precedent for his conviction also in the same cause.

1633 W. Laud Let. 11 Mar. in Earl of Strafford Lett. & Disp. (1739) I. 213 I am afraid that many of them will be found Guilty: You give me one shrewd Instance in the Bishop of Waterford.

1692 Vindiciæ Carol. ii. 31 The pinching Article against him [Strafford] was the Twenty third... A shrewd Article no doubt, and sufficiently evidences their Crime.

1849 H. Miller Foot-prints of Creator 310 A shrewd fact, which they who expect most from the future of this world would do well to consider.

†12.

a. Given to railing or scolding; shrewish. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > invective or abuse > [adjective] > given to invective or abuse

shrewda1387

abusious1594

the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill-naturedness > ill nature in woman or shrewishness > [adjective]

shrew1297

shrewda1387

scoldinga1533

shrewish?1566

cotquean-like1581

virago1598

vixena1660

termagant1668

vixenlya1677

calleting1691

rudas1802

termagantish1823

vixenish1828

α.

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 285 Tweie schrewed [L. ligitiosissimas] wifes þat wolde alway chide and stryve.

1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) xlvii. 69 The tale and matere of the euylle and shrewde wyues.

1550 M. Coverdale tr. O. Werdmueller Spyrytuall & Precyouse Pearle xv. sig. Giij^v His [Socrates'] curst & shreud wyfe.

1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. i. 17 Thou wilt neuer get thee a husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue.

1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 223 Somewhat shrewd to her servants.

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Shrop. 2 The Poets faining Juno, chaste and thrifty, qualities which commonly attend a shrewd nature.

β. a1500 Brome Bk. 11 The properte of a schrod qwen ys to have hyr wyll.?c1530 in Pol. Rel. & Love Poems, etc. (1903) 58 Thowe shalte bettyr chastise a shrode wyfe with myrthe, then with strokes or smytyng.a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. ii. 69 As old as Sibell, and as curst and shrow'd As Socrates Zentippe.

b. Of words, language: Scolding, railing, abusive. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > [adjective] > of the nature of scolding

shrewd1538

1538 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) II. 128 If ye had..sowght fully to instructe me in the matier, then thus to desire to conquer me by shrowde wordes.

1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Confero Maledicta in aliquem, to rayle at one; to geue shrewde woordes.

1606 P. Holland tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars 191 She had reviled him & given him shrewd words.

1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 488 With shrew'd Acerbious speech, you Anathematize.

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) London 197 Shrewd words are sometimes improved into smart blows betwixt them.

13.

a. In early use: †Cunning, artful (obsolete). Now only in favourable sense: Clever or keen-witted in practical affairs; astute or sagacious in action or speech. (The chief current sense.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adjective]

warec888

craftyOE

hinderyeapc1000

yepec1000

foxc1175

slya1200

hinderc1200

quaint?c1225

wrenchfulc1225

wiltfula1250

wilyc1330

subtle1340

cautelous138.

sleightful1380

subtile1387

enginousa1393

wilfula1400

wilyc1407

sleighty1412

serpentinec1422

ginnousa1425

wittya1425

semyc1440

artificial?a1475

sleight1495

slapea1500

shrewdc1525

craftly1526

foxy1528

gleering?1533

foxish1535

insidious1545

vafrous1548

wily beguile1550

wilely1556

fine1559

todly1571

practic1585

subdolous1588

captious1590

witryff1598

cautel1606

cunninga1616

versute1616

shiftfula1618

artificious1624

insidiary1625

canny1628

lapwing-like1638

pawky?a1640

tricksome1648

callid1656

versutious1660

artful1663

slim1674

dexterous1701

trickish1705

supple1710

slid1719

vulpinary1721

tricksy1766

trickful1775

sneck-drawing1786

tricky1786

louche1819

sneck-drawn1820

slyish1828

vulpine1830

kokum1839

spidery1843

dodgy1861

ladino1863

carney1881

slinky1951

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adjective] > astute

oldOE

witterc1100

pratc1175

smeighc1200

fellc1300

yap13..

far-castinga1387

parlousc1390

advisee?a1400

politic?a1439

astucec1550

political1577

astute1611

knowing1664

shrewda1684

sharp1697

leery1718

peery1721

fly1811

canny1816

flash1818

astucious1823

varmint1829

chickaleary1839

wide1879

snide1883

varminty1907

crazy like (or as) a fox1935

α.

c1525 J. Rastell New Commodye Propertes of Women sig. Aiii Semyng to be shepe and serpently shrewd.

1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxi. 209 Least with their shrewd wits, when they were maried they might become a little too phantasticall wiues.

1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 47 By acting sharpe old men, shrewd servants,..and all such parts as did require some noise and stirre.

a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1675 (1955) IV. 66 His Lady had ben very handsom, & seem'd a shrew'd understanding woman.

1706 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels III. 331 The Men of the World are abundantly more shrewd in the Business of it, than even Good Men are in the Management of their great and eternal Concern.

1807 Salmagundi 14 Aug. 265 A shrewd old gentleman, who stood listening by with a mischievously equivocal look.

1867 S. Smiles Huguenots Eng. & Ireland ii. 27 Palissy was..by nature a shrewd observer and an independent thinker.

1880 L. Stephen Alexander Pope iv. 102 A woman of shrewd intellect and masculine character.

1884 Ld. Tennyson Falcon i. i. 468 Lady, I find you a shrewd bargainer.

absolute.1867 J. R. Lowell Fitz Adam's Story 360 Hard-headed and soft-hearted, you'd scarce meet A kinder mixture of the shrewd and sweet.β. 1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. C3^v They tolde the king he was a foole, and some shrewd head had knauishly wrought on him.1605 G. Chapman Al Fooles iv. i. H 2 Rinal. Y'aue gotten a learned Notarie Signior Cornelio. Corn. Hees a shroad fellow indeed.1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. ii. 186 He has a shrow'd wit.

b. Of action, speech: †Cunning, artful (obsolete); characterized by penetration or practical sagacity.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective]

sharpc888

yepec1000

spacka1200

yare-witelc1275

fellc1300

yap13..

seeinga1382

far-castinga1387

sightya1400

perceivinga1425

snellc1425

politic?a1439

quickc1449

pregnant?a1475

pert1484

quick-wittedc1525

apt1535

intelligentc1540

queemc1540

ready-witted1576

political1577

of (a) great, deep, etc., reach1579

conceited1583

perspicuous1584

sharp-witteda1586

shrewd1589

inseeing1590

conceived1596

acute1598

pregnate1598

agile1599

nimble-headed1601

insighted1602

nimble1604

nimble-witted1604

penetrant1605

penetrating1606

spraga1616

acuminous1619

discoursing1625

smart1639

penetrativea1641

sagacious1650

nasute1653

acuminate1654

blunt-sharpa1661

long-headed1665

smoky1688

rapid1693

keen1704

gash1706

snack1710

cute1731

mobile1778

wide awake1785

acuminated1786

quick-minded1789

kicky1790

snap1790

downy1803

snacky1806

unbaffleable1827

varmint1829

needle-sharp1836

nimble-brained1836

incisivea1850

spry1849

fast1850

snappy1871

hard-boiled1884

on the spot1903

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > worldly wisdom > [adjective]

world-wiseOE

worldly-wisec1400

smart1571

shrewd1589

hard1655

sharp1697

auld-farrant1702

up to snuff1810

canny1816

savvy1826

worldly1829

lairy1846

facultized1872

sophisticated1895

hep1899

hip1904

streetwise1949

ready1967

kewl1990

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adjective] > specifically of actions, qualities, etc.

craftyc1225

subtle1340

slyc1380

sleightlyc1402

subtilec1405

wilyc1407

sleighty1412

foxly1528

sleight1533

colubrinec1540

serpentical1546

fox-like1587

shrewd1589

vulpine1628

insidiating1632

serpentic1661

serpentary1681

artful1865

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective] > of speech, action

readya1400

politicc1430

feat1519

handsome?1543

witty1551

political1577

conceited1583

shrewd1761

sagacious1831

kokum1839

1589 ‘Pasquill of England’ Returne of Pasquill sig. Bj Whereuppon they presume to make a shrewde scruple of their obedience.

1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης xxvi. 209 The shrewdest and the cunningest obloquie that can be thrown upon thir actions.

1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxvii. 120 Empson made a shrewd apology for himself.

1781 W. Cowper Table Talk 205 The cause..may yet elude Conjecture and remark, however shrewd.

1824 W. Irving Tales of Traveller II. 259 An eminent man, who had waxed wealthy by driving shrewd bargains with the Indians.

1882 J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. II. 113 Taking shrewd advantage of the Lord Chancellor's unlucky mistake.

1884 R. W. Church Bacon iii. 59 He liked to observe, to generalise in shrewd and sometimes cynical epigrams.

c. Of the face or look.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective] > of facial expression

shrewd1816

1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. i. 7 A shrewd and penetrating eye.

1877 ‘Mrs. Forrester’ Mignon i Fred Conyngham..has a plain, shrewd face.

1877 W. Black Green Pastures & Piccadilly I. iii. 39 The shaggy, dark brown eyebrows gave shadow and intensity to the shrewd and piercing grey eyes.

14. Of a suspicion or guess: Coming ‘dangerously’ near to the truth of the matter. (? Partly arising from sense 10.)

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > conjecture, guessing > [adjective] > of a guess: close to the truth

shrewd1588

near1662

1588 J. Harvey Discoursiue Probl. conc. Prophesies 127 I denie not but the wisest..politiques may..giue a shrewd gesse, and go neare the marke.

1599 Warning for Faire Women ii. 1025 Should you be guilty of this fact, As this your flight hath given shrewde suspition.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 434 Tis a shrewd doubt, tho it be but a dreame.

1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme iii. xii. §3 It is a shrewd presumption that he doth lie with them indeed.

1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair li. 452 I have a shrewd idea that it is a humbug.

Compounds

C1. shrewd-eyed, shrewd-headed, †shrewd-hearted, shrewd-looking, shrewd-pated, shrewd-tongued, †shrewd-wit, shrewd-working adjs.

ΚΠ

c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 449/1 Schrewyd hertyd, pravicors.

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 25 The priest Calchas was broght by the shrewdwyt Vlisses.

1607 S. Hieron Worth Water of Life in Wks. (1620) I. 197 A shrewd-tongued woman.

1629 J. Ford Lovers Melancholy iv. 58 A shrewd-braine Whorson, there's pith In his vntoward plainenesse.

1629 tr. Herodian Hist. (1635) 199 A notable shrewd-pated Fellow.

1828 E. Bulwer-Lytton Pelham I. xvi. 111 She was a pretty, fair, shrewd looking person.

1856 J. G. Whittier Panorama 9 The shrewd-eyed salesman, garrulous and loud.

1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake I. ix. 216 The..shrewdest-headed..Berserker in the North Seas.

1959 Daily Tel. 20 May 17/1 A smiling, shrewd-eyed woman.

C2.

shrewd-head n. Australian and New Zealand slang a cunning person.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [noun] > astuteness > person

Yorker1599

ferret1629

Yorkshire bite1801

file1819

gnostic1819

shrewdc1858

shrewd-head1916

shrewdie1916

piss-cutter1935

1916 C. J. Dennis Songs Sentimental Bloke (new ed.) 43 Now this 'ere gorspil bloke's a fair shrewd 'ead.

1946 J. Morrison in Coast to Coast 163 Some shrewd-head overseas will get the blame for that pillaged case.

1960 N. Hilliard Maori Girl iii. i. 177 Only the shrewd-heads go for that hard stuff: the shysters the takes.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	shrewd
释义	shrewdn. Brit. /ʃruːd/, U.S. /ʃrud/ Etymology: < shrewd adj. rare. 1. A shrewd or cunning person (see also quot. 1954). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [noun] > astuteness > person Yorker1599 ferret1629 Yorkshire bite1801 file1819 gnostic1819 shrewdc1858 shrewd-head1916 shrewdie1916 piss-cutter1935 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > a charlatan, fraudster > [noun] > a sharper, swindler hawk1548 huckster1556 shifterc1562 coney-catcher1591 sharker1594 shark1600 bat-fowler1602 guller1602 gull-groper1602 poop-noddy1616 int1631 shirk1639 knight of industrya1658 hockettor1672 biter1680 sharper1681 duffer1735 sharp1797 diddler1803 chevalier of industry1807 flat-catcher1821 thimble-man1830 thimblerigger1831 thimblerig1839 riggerc1840 chevalier of fortune1867 flim-flammer1881 spiv1929 sharpie1942 shrewd1954 c1858 E. Dickinson Poems (1955) I. 14 Could a shrewd advise me We might e'en divide—Should a shrewd betray me—Atropos decide! 1954 Picture Post 2 Jan. 34 The word ‘Spiv’, it seems, is out of date. The new word, we are reliably informed, is ‘Shrewd’ —and it is used as a noun, adjective and verb... The ‘shrewd’ is not an American by-product. He is home-bred and thoroughly English, in style and slang. 2. Shrewdness, sagacity, cunning. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [noun] > astuteness yepshipc1000 yepleȝȝcc1175 yephedea1250 slyness1357 far-castingc1400 policyc1440 far-castc1540 fineness1546 astucec1550 shrewdnessa1616 arguteness1662 cuteness1768 smartness1800 astucity1837 astuteness1843 Yorkshiredom1849 flyness1888 shrewd1977 sus1979 1977 F. Branston Up & Coming Man xii. 126 All you needed was some capital and a lot of shrewd and you couldn't go wrong. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2022). shrewdadj. Brit. /ʃruːd/, U.S. /ʃrud/ Forms: α. Middle English schrewid(e, shrewid, schrewd(e, Middle English–1500s schrewed(e, Middle English–1600s shrewed(e, shrewde, shreude, Middle English–1500s schrewyd, (Middle English schreuyt, 1500s shreawd, schrewit), Middle English–1700s shreud, 1500s–1700s shrew'd, Middle English– shrewd. β. Middle English schrod, Middle English–1500s schrode, Middle English–1600s shrode, 1500s schroyd, 1500s–1600s shroud, shrowd(e, shrow'd, shroad, 1600s shrote, 1800s dialect srode. γ. Middle English scherewed, Middle English sherewd. Etymology: Middle English schrewed-e , etc., probably originally < shrew n.² (? or shrew n.¹) + -ed suffix². Compare crabbed , dogged , wicked (all early Middle English); the two former suggest the possibility that the animal (n.¹) is alluded to. This formation coincided with the past participle of shrew v., which may be the source of some of the senses; compare the similar use of cursed. 1. a. Of persons, their qualities, actions, etc.: Depraved, wicked; evil-disposed, malignant. Passing into a weaker sense: Malicious, mischievous. dialect. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > ill-nature > [adjective] shrew1297 shrewd13.. maliciousc1330 ill-disposedc1460 shrewishc1480 indisposed1481 misaffectionate1533 unsavoury1568 ill-conditioned1614 ill-natured1645 unamiable1711 malignant1785 ill-thriven1806 nasty1825 beastly1911 the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > ill-nature > [adjective] shrew1297 shrewd13.. maliciousc1330 ill-disposedc1460 shrewishc1480 indisposed1481 unsavoury1568 ill-natured1656 unamiable1774 ill-thriven1806 nasty1825 α. 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 4904 Ryche men haue shrewed sonys,—Shrewys yn dede and yn sawe. 13.. Lay Folks Catech. (MS. L) 139 Envye to oure neyȝbore with oþer schrewde castys. c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. II. 349 Sclaundris and oþir shrewid wordis. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 7742 A schrewyd counsaile toke þai þan. ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 7330 Þe schrewed sonn of þe fende. c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 1079 Fawnus..Was set oppon a purpose to make his sone leue All his shrewd tacchis. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur ix. xviii. 366 Whan he dyd ony shrewd dede they wold bete hym with roddes. 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 35/1 Thenemye the fende with his angellis cursed and shrewd. c1490 W. Caxton Rule St. Benet 122 Kepe euer your tongue from euyll and shrewde langage, & speke lytyll & well. 1548 T. Cranmer Catechismus sig. Xv Our owne euyl workes, and shrewed wylles. 1570 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xviii. 62 Schrewit is that seruice ȝe haif schawin to ȝour King. 1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream ii. i. 33 That shrewde and knauish sprite, Call'd Robin goodfellow. View more context for this quotation 1615 J. Day Festivals 29 How do they pule & cry? nay, how wil they shew a shrewd stomach or ever they can go or speake? 1637 J. Milton Comus 29 All urchin blasts, and ill lucke signes That the shrewd medling elfe delights to make. 1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. Shrewd (s'roa·d),..(shr'oa·d),..badly-disposed; wicked; vicious. ‘'E's gwun a despert srōde lad.’ β. 1547 A. Borde Breuiary of Helthe cccxxix Beware of anger, for it is a shrode hert that maketh al the body fare the worse.1606 T. Dekker Seuen Deadly Sinnes London iii. sig. D4^v Drunkards, Vnthriftes and shrote Husbands.γ. 13.. Beues (A.) 4498 Þar was a Lombard in þe toun, Þat was scherewed & feloun.14.. Chaucer's H. Fame (Caxton) 275 Ther may be vnder goodlyhede Couerd many a sherewd vyce. †b. Of children: Naughty. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > lack of subjection > unruliness > [adjective] > of children wanton1533 shrewd1548 naughtya1633 bratty1961 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. a^v They ben called capitall vices, bycause other shrewde chyldren ryseth of them.] 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry IV f. ix Experience teacheth, that..of a shreude boye, proueth a good man. 1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health cii. 89 I haue knowen..many a shreude boye for the desire of Apples, to haue broken into other folkes orchardes. 1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 12 He [Cupid] hath been fiue thousand yeere a Boy. Kath. I and a shrowde vnhappie gallowes too. View more context for this quotation 1645 Bp. J. Hall Remedy Discontentm. xv. 77 The best of us are but shrewd children. †c. Of animals: Of evil disposition, bad-tempered; vicious, fierce; = cursed adj. 4b. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > by nature > [adjective] > wild or vicious wildc725 wrothOE keenOE ramagec1300 fell?c1335 furiousc1374 fierce1377 ramageousa1398 eagerc1405 savage1447 naughtyc1460 criminal1477 ill1480 shrewd1509 mankind1519 roidc1540 mad1565 horn-mad1579 fierceful1607 man-keen1607 indomite1617 fellish1638 ferocious1646 ferousa1652 ferinea1676 kwaai1827 skelm1827 1509 H. Watson tr. S. Brant Shyppe of Fooles (de Worde) vi. sig. B.vii Oftentymes a mylde bytche bryngeth forth shrewed whelpes. a1533 J. Frith Against Rastel (?1535–6) sig. Dii And maye be likened to a shrowd cowe whiche whan she hath geven a large messe of milke torneth it don with her hele. 1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. x. sig. Civ^v God sendth the shrewd cow short hornes. 1547 W. Baldwin Treat. Morall Phylos. iv. sig. Qiii^v As to a shrewde horse belongeth a sharpe brydle: so oughte a shrewde wyfe to be sharpely handeled. 1607 G. Markham Cavelarice ii. 96 The practise of some Horse-men..to tie a shrewd Cat to a Poale, with her heade and feete at libertie, and so thrusting it vnder the horses bellye,..to make her..clawe him. 1630 M. Drayton Noahs Floud in Muses Elizium 97 [They] together sat By the shrewd Muncky, Babian, and the Ape. †2. Of material things (esp. animals): Mischievous, hurtful; dangerous, injurious. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > [adjective] > harmful or injurious litherc893 scathefulc900 orneOE teenfulOE atterlichc1050 evilc1175 wicka1250 scathela1300 deringa1325 unkindc1330 harmfula1340 ill1340 wicked1340 shrewdc1380 noisomea1382 venomed1382 noyfulc1384 damageousc1386 infectivea1398 unwholesomea1400 annoying?c1400 mischievous1414 damnablec1420 contagiousc1430 mischievable?a1439 damagefulc1449 damageable1474 unhappy1474 nuisable1483 nocible1490 nuisible1490 nuisant1494 noxiousa1500 nocent?c1500 hurtful1526 sinistral1534 nocive1538 offendent1547 offensivea1548 dangerous1548 naughtya1555 dispendious1557 offensible1575 wrackful1578 baneful1579 hindersome1580 scandalizing1593 damnifiable1604 taking1608 toadish1611 illful1613 nocivousc1616 mischieving1621 nocuous1627 obnoxious1638 nocumentous1644 vicious1656 nocumental1657 abnoxious1680 dungeonable1691 offending1694 hurtsomea1699 nociferous1706 sinister1726 damnific1727 hazardous1748 slaughtering1811 damaging1856 damnous1870 lethal1942 the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > harmful mischievousness > [adjective] > thing shrewdc1380 c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 4431 An Axe had he þan an-honde, A shrewedere wepene for-to fonde, Was neuere non yfounde. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 335 Wel schrewed mys [L. mures nocentissimos]. 1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Bodl.) v. xxviii Blaynes..comeþ of schrewed and corrupt humours. 1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 20 Þoru busschis and bromes þis beste.. Secheth and sercheth þo schrewed wormes. c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) v. 46 Egipt is a strong Contree: for it hathe manye schrewede Havenes, because of the grete Roches. c1450 Robyn & Gandeleyn vi, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1888) III. v There cam a schrewde arwe out of þe west. 1493 Festyvall 31 b They wyll slee theym with a shrewed knyfe. That is with the euyll and cursed tonge. 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II iii. ii. 55 To lifte shrewd steele against our golden crowne. View more context for this quotation 1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 98 An Ante..is a shrewd thing, in an Orchard or garden. a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1959) IV. 54 The Buls of Babylon, the shrewdest Buls of all, in temporall, in spirituall persecutions. †3. a. Of things (chiefly immaterial): Of evil nature, character, or influence; ill-conditioned, bad, vile. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > morality > moral evil > [adjective] unfairc888 missOE ungoodc1000 quedec1275 wondlichc1275 badc1330 divers1340 quedeful1340 shrewdc1384 lewdc1386 ungoodly1390 diverse1393 noughta1400 imperfectc1400 noughtyc1400 unblesseda1425 sinister1474 naughty?a1500 podea1522 naught1536 pelsy1785 the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > evil thing > [adjective] shrewdc1384 c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Luke iii. 5 Schrewide thingis [L. prava] schulen be in to dressid thingis. c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 2613 They have a custom, a shrewid for þe nonys, Yf eny of hem sey a thing, they cry all attonys. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) ii. l. 94 At thi shrewed ws thow wenys me to leid. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid ii. viii. 57 The eddir, with schrewit herbis fed. ?1520 J. Rastell Nature .iiii. Element sig. Biij Though he loke neuer so well I promyse you he hath a shrewde smell. 1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer ii. f. cccxli^v Right so he is a shrewe on whom shreude thynges & badde han most werchynge. c1535 Frere & Boy 283 The good wyffe sayd, wer hast thou be? In schrewyd plas as thynkys me. 1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 16 There are shrewd books, with dangerous Frontispices set to sale. 1678 in O. Airy Lauderdale Papers (1885) III. 140 His Maj^tie did highly signify his displeasure against Sir William Lowther... The shreud effects whereof he has since tasted. b. Of reputation, opinion, meaning: Evil, bad, unfavourable. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrepute > [adjective] evilc1330 shrewdc1384 ill1483 c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame 1619 Y graunte yow That ye shal haue a shrewde fame And wikkyd loos. 1527 in J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1881) I. 523 (note) Some of them, as Master Dean hath known a long time, hath had a shrewd name. 1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Commode To be ill reported of: to haue a shrewde name. a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) ii. ii. 216 Shee enlargeth her mirth so farre, that there is shrewd construction made of her. View more context for this quotation 1621 T. W. tr. S. Goulart Wise Vieillard 82 Many men..giue good things a shrewd vnhappie, and wrong name. 1664 H. More Apol. 491 That spirit is not of God, but in some shreud sense or other is the spirit of Antichrist. c. Poor, unsatisfactory. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > inferior thing > [adjective] salec1299 bastarda1348 sorry1372 slight1393 shrewd1426 singlec1449 backc1450 soberc1450 lesser1464 silly?a1500 starven1546 mockado1577 subaltern1578 bastardly1583 wooden1592 starved1604 perishing1605 starveling1611 minor1612 starvy1647 potsherd1655 low1727 la-la1800 waif1824 lathen1843 one-eyed1843 snide1859 bobbery1873 jerkwater1877 low-grade1878 shoddy1882 tinhorn1886 jerk1893 cheapie1898 shaganappi1900 buckeye1906 reach-me-down1907 pissy1922 crappy1928 cruddy1935 el cheapo1967 pound shop1989 α. 1426 J. Lydgate tr. G. de Guileville Pilgrimage Life Man 21126 Thow hast..Mad a shrewde marchaundyse. 1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur ix. xxiv. 375 There is shrewde herberowe,..lodge where ye will, for I wille not lodge there. 1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. viii. 17 They will make a shrewde marchaundyce for vs. ?1562 Thersytes sig. A.iv He that should medle with me shall haue shrewde rest. 1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus Coenare malum.., to suppe with sorow and shrewde rest. a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. vi. sig. E2^v The Helots..would haue giuen a shrewd welcome to the [invading] Arcadians. β. a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1616) sig. E2 By Lady sir, you haue had a shroud iourney of it.1593 Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 8 You might haue tooke better heede, and It was your owne fault, are two shrode plasters for a greene wound. d. In bad physical condition (the precise meaning varying with the application); in bad order; ugly; tough. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [adjective] undisposedc1380 sicka1425 shrewdc1430 crazy1583 unsound1617 vitiated1620 depravate1665 depraveda1807 sickly1826 the mind > attention and judgement > lack of beauty > ugliness > [adjective] foulOE uglyc1386 malgraciousa1393 unsightlya1400 loathc1400 ouglec1415 shrewdc1430 unsightyc1440 unwholesome?a1500 evil-favoured1530 ill-favoured1530 uglisome1530 huggeda1533 hard-favoureda1535 evil-liking1535 ill-favorited1579 stigmatical1589 stigmatic1597 sightlessa1616 hard-featured1638 grislya1681 bad-looking1757 unmackly1765 unfavourable1776 dissightly1777 eyesore1798 wavelled1886 spiderly1891 Plain Jane1912 hackit1985 c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) ii. cxxvi. 123 j can with good vynture enoynte a shrewede wheel that cryeth. a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Di^v With a shrewde face vilis Imago. 1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (xviii. 26) A shrewd knot must haue a shrewd wedge [L. malo nodo quærendum esse malum cuneum]. 1593 Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 34 The young tree will stoup, when the old shrewd cannot bend. †4. Of events, affairs, conditions: Fraught or attended with evil or misfortune; having injurious or dangerous consequences; vexatious, irksome, hard; (of a task) difficult, dangerous. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > [adjective] plightlyOE wothea1300 perilousc1300 wickeda1375 plightfula1400 dreadfulc1400 parlous?a1425 shrewd1482 danger1488 dangerous1490 periculous1533 dangerful1548 dangersome1567 craggy1582 perilsome1593 endangering1601 unsafe1621 imperilous1645 ugly1654 warm1726 neck-break1756 wanchancy1768 uncanny1785 unchancy1786 nasty1828 unhealthy1915 windy1919 the world > action or operation > adversity > [adjective] > attended by or causing affliction eileOE soreOE unselec1050 evilc1175 derfa1225 stourc1275 feeble1297 illa1325 fella1400 unhappya1400 unwealful1412 importunea1425 noisomea1450 shrewd1482 importunable?c1485 importunate1490 funestal1538 nippingc1550 troublesome1552 pinching1563 grievesome1568 afflicting1573 afflictive1576 pressing1591 lacerating1609 funest1636 funestous1641 gravaminous1659 unkind1682 plightful1721 damning1798 acanthocladous1858 damnatory1858 fraught1966 the world > action or operation > difficulty > [adjective] arvethc885 uneathOE arvethlichc1000 evilc1175 hardc1175 deara1225 derfa1225 illc1330 wickeda1375 uneasy1398 difficul?a1450 difficile?1473 difficulta1527 unready1535 craggy1582 spiny1604 tough1619 uphill1622 shrewda1626 spinousa1638 scabrous1646 spinose1660 rugged1663 cranka1745 tight1764 thraward1818 nasty1828 upstream1847 awkward1860 pricklyc1862 bristling1871 sticky1871 rocky1873 dodgy1898 challengeful1927 solid1943 ball-busting1944 challenging1975 α. 1508 J. Stanbridge Vulgaria (W. de W.) B vj It is shrewed to Iape with naked swerdes. 1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid v. ix. 64 The feirfull spa men therof pronosticate Schrewit chancis to betyde. a1533 J. Frith in Test. W. Tracie (1535) sig. Ciij^v Those holye fathers were in shrewde case which contynewinge in longe penurye, skant lefte at their departinge a halfe penye. 1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) II. 2119/2 I aduise thee, beware of the fire, it is a shrewd matter to burne. 1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 711 Strangers haue more shrewd entertainment, and scarsely in twentie daies..can shake off this Shaker [ague]. a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. v. 14 Ah fowle, shrew'd newes. View more context for this quotation a1626 W. Rowley New Wonder (1632) iii. i. E 3 Sir, 'tis a shrewd taske. a1627 T. Middleton More Dissemblers besides Women iii. ii, in 2 New Playes (1657) 44 By'r Lady a shrewd business, and a dangerous. a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1954) VII. 387 That King, that comes after a good Predecessour, hath a shrewd burthen upon him. 1821 J. Baillie Lady G. Baillie in Metrical Legends liv The times are shrewd, my treasures spent. β. 1482 in H. E. Malden Cely Papers (1900) 108 Wee fere here that ther weil be schrode passage to thys Balling martt.1536 in State Papers Henry VIII (1834) II. 355 I promes you I am in a schroyd case, oneles the Kinges highe Majestie..do see redresse in suche causes.a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 53 Yf the yomanry of englond were not, in tyme of warre, we schold be in schrode case.1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 11 This singulariti in philosophi is like to grow to a shrode matter. 5. shrewd turn: a. A mischievous or malicious act. archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > harm, injury, or wrong > [noun] > action > a bad turn shrewd turn1464 office1575 disservice1611 disoffice1624 evil turn1647 diskindness1678 bad turn1886 a shot in the eye1897 the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > harmful action > [noun] > instance > done to another shrewd turn1464 disservice1611 disoffice1624 diskindness1678 the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > spitefulness > spiteful action > [noun] > instance of thuckec1230 malicec1350 shrewd turn1464 serpentine?1510 pranka1529 the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > spite, malice > [noun] > active > instance of thuckec1230 malicec1350 shrewd turn1464 serpentine?1510 pranka1529 1464 J. Pampyng in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 298 He wold do Debenham a shrewd turne and he coud. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 712/2 I provoke..him to do a shreude tourne. 1593 Passionate Morrice in Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 76 As a dogge doth that is crept into a hole, hauing done a shroude turne. 1660 Bp. J. Taylor Ductor Dubitantium I. ii. i. Rule 5 §3 They can doe a good turne or a shrewd. 1702 Eng. Theophrastus 204 No enemy is so despicable but some time or other he may do a body a shrewd turn. 1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 223 That Town owed us a shrewd Turn for having handled them coarsely. †b. A piece of misfortune, an accident. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [noun] > misfortune or ill-luck > instance of misfortune or ill-luck > a mishap or unlucky accident mistideOE unhapc1230 chancea1300 mischancec1325 mishapa1387 accident?1490 casualtya1513 shrewd turn1565 casuality1574 misaccident1620 mishanter1754 contretemps1809 bust-up1841 pratfall1941 snafu1943 1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Fero Infortunium ferre,..to haue a shrewde turne. 1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. ii. 9 They are..sent to the schoole to keepe them..from danger, and shrewd turnes. 1642 D. Rogers Naaman 282 The nurses eie attends the feeble infant, for feare of shrewd turnes. 6. As an intensive, qualifying a word denoting something in itself bad, irksome, or undesirable: Grievous, serious, ‘sore’. †a. of injury, loss, disease, etc. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > [adjective] > extremely outrageousa1325 malignc1350 shrewda1387 malignant1568 the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > severity > [adjective] heavyc825 grimc900 strongeOE hardeOE drearyOE eileOE sweerOE deara1000 bitterOE tartc1000 smartOE unridec1175 sharp?c1225 straitc1275 grievousc1290 fellc1330 shrewda1387 snella1400 unsterna1400 vilea1400 importunea1425 ungainc1425 thrallc1430 peisant1483 sore?a1513 weighty1540 heinous?1541 urgent?1542 asperous?1567 dure1567 spiny1586 searching1590 hoara1600 vengible1601 flinty1613 tugging1642 atrocious1733 uncannya1774 severe1774 stern1830 punishing1833 hefty1867 solid1916 the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > [adjective] > severe heavya1000 tartc1000 unridec1175 unsoftc1275 uglya1300 smartc1300 sternc1300 cruelc1384 sharpc1386 shrewda1387 snella1400 painousa1450 painlyc1460 sensible1502 terrible1509 heinous?1541 severe1747 α. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 357 Þe evel þat hatte ficus, þat is a schrewed evel. 1461 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 520 Ther was shrewd rewle toward in this cuntre. 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes i. f. 132^v He gaue a shrewd checke to y^e vnmeasurable praiser. 1592 Soliman & P. 426 A shrewd losse, by my faith, sir. 1606 G. Chapman Gentleman Vsher ii. sig. B4^v I haue been hanted..with a shrewd feuer. 1609 G. Archer in S. Purchas Pilgrims (1625) IV. 1734 Some three or foure dayes after her, came in the Swallow,..and had a shrewd leake. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) ii. iii. 41 Humfrey, Duke of Gloster, scarce himselfe, That beares so shrewd a mayme. 1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes i. Intermeane 73 in Wks. II O, but the poore man had got a shrewd mischance, one day. 1658 W. Johnson tr. F. Würtz Surgeons Guid iii. x. 248 A Wound closed up, where a piece of the vein is yet unhealed,..will cause shrewd Imposthumes. 1713 Countess of Winchilsea Misc. Poems 180 Meeting with a shrew'd mischance. 1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe xxxi That is a shrewd loss. β. 1482 in H. E. Malden Cely Papers (1900) 112 Hytt woll be a shrode losse.1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 441 With shrowde fines eftsoones redoubled, if not answered.1612 N. Field Woman a Weather-cocke ii. i Mrs. Wag...Haulke, hauke. [Coughs and spits.] Page. Shee has a shrowde reach, I see that.1623 W. Bradford Hist. Plymouth Plant. (1856) 150 His father suffered a shrowd check. †b. of temptation. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1601 A. Munday & H. Chettle Death Earle of Huntington sig. I^v I know thou shalt be offerd wealth (Which is a shrewde inticement in sad want). 1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iii. 437 A shroud bait to tempt his hungry souldiers to sacriledge. 1696 W. Whiston Disc. conc. Mosaick Hist. Creation 61 in New Theory of Earth They were under a shrewd Temptation of thinking very meanly of the Bible it self. †c. Qualifying an agent-noun. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1576 A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. 171 (margin) Timorousnesse a shrewd hinderer of enterprises. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) i. iii. 102 These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues. View more context for this quotation d. ‘Hard to beat’, formidable. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective] faireOE bremea1000 goodlyOE goodfulc1275 noblec1300 pricec1300 specialc1325 gentlec1330 fine?c1335 singulara1340 thrivena1350 thriven and throa1350 gaya1375 properc1380 before-passinga1382 daintiful1393 principala1398 gradelya1400 burlyc1400 daintyc1400 thrivingc1400 voundec1400 virtuousc1425 hathelc1440 curiousc1475 singlerc1500 beautiful1502 rare?a1534 gallant1539 eximious1547 jolly1548 egregious?c1550 jellyc1560 goodlike1562 brawc1565 of worth1576 brave?1577 surprising1580 finger-licking1584 admirablea1586 excellinga1586 ambrosial1598 sublimated1603 excellent1604 valiant1604 fabulous1609 pure1609 starryc1610 topgallant1613 lovely1614 soaringa1616 twanging1616 preclarent1623 primea1637 prestantious1638 splendid1644 sterling1647 licking1648 spankinga1666 rattling1690 tearing1693 famous1695 capital1713 yrare1737 pure and —1742 daisy1757 immense1762 elegant1764 super-extra1774 trimming1778 grand1781 gallows1789 budgeree1793 crack1793 dandy1794 first rate1799 smick-smack1802 severe1805 neat1806 swell1810 stamming1814 divine1818 great1818 slap-up1823 slapping1825 high-grade1826 supernacular1828 heavenly1831 jam-up1832 slick1833 rip-roaring1834 boss1836 lummy1838 flash1840 slap1840 tall1840 high-graded1841 awful1843 way up1843 exalting1844 hot1845 ripsnorting1846 clipping1848 stupendous1848 stunning1849 raving1850 shrewd1851 jammy1853 slashing1854 rip-staving1856 ripping1858 screaming1859 up to dick1863 nifty1865 premier cru1866 slap-bang1866 clinking1868 marvellous1868 rorty1868 terrific1871 spiffing1872 all wool and a yard wide1882 gorgeous1883 nailing1883 stellar1883 gaudy1884 fizzing1885 réussi1885 ding-dong1887 jim-dandy1888 extra-special1889 yum-yum1890 out of sight1891 outasight1893 smooth1893 corking1895 large1895 super1895 hot dog1896 to die for1898 yummy1899 deevy1900 peachy1900 hi1901 v.g.1901 v.h.c.1901 divvy1903 doozy1903 game ball1905 goodo1905 bosker1906 crackerjack1910 smashinga1911 jake1914 keen1914 posh1914 bobby-dazzling1915 juicy1916 pie on1916 jakeloo1919 snodger1919 whizz-bang1920 wicked1920 four-star1921 wow1921 Rolls-Royce1922 whizz-bang1922 wizard1922 barry1923 nummy1923 ripe1923 shrieking1926 crazy1927 righteous1930 marvy1932 cool1933 plenty1933 brahmaa1935 smoking1934 solid1935 mellow1936 groovy1937 tough1937 bottler1938 fantastic1938 readyc1938 ridge1938 super-duper1938 extraordinaire1940 rumpty1940 sharp1940 dodger1941 grouse1941 perfecto1941 pipperoo1945 real gone1946 bosting1947 supersonic1947 whizzo1948 neato1951 peachy-keen1951 ridgey-dite1953 ridgy-didge1953 top1953 whizzing1953 badass1955 wild1955 belting1956 magic1956 bitching1957 swinging1958 ridiculous1959 a treat1959 fab1961 bad-assed1962 uptight1962 diggish1963 cracker1964 marv1964 radical1964 bakgat1965 unreal1965 pearly1966 together1968 safe1970 bad1971 brilliant1971 fabby1971 schmick1972 butt-kicking1973 ripper1973 Tiffany1973 bodacious1976 rad1976 kif1978 awesome1979 death1979 killer1979 fly1980 shiok1980 stonking1980 brill1981 dope1981 to die1982 mint1982 epic1983 kicking1983 fabbo1984 mega1985 ill1986 posho1989 pukka1991 lovely jubbly1992 awesomesauce2001 nang2002 bess2006 amazeballs2009 boasty2009 daebak2009 beaut2013 1851 G. Borrow Lavengro xii I was now a shrewd walker, thanks to constant practice. †e. As a vague intensive. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > very great or extreme strangec1380 overpassinga1382 passinga1387 most?c1430 extremec1460 horriblea1464 violenta1500 mainc1540 immortal?c1550 exquisite1552 sore1555 three-piled1598 thundering1618 devilish1639 shrewda1643 deadly1660 woundy1681 vast1696 monstrous1711 mortal1716 terrific1743 hell-fired1754 hellish1764 colossal1794 severe1805 awful1818 all-fired1829 terrible1829 quare and1847 ferocious1877 pluperfect1889 raging1889 giddy1896 utter1898 stiff1905 a1643 W. Cartwright Ordinary (1651) iv. i. 58 Cast. He threw twice twelve. Cred. By'r Lady a shrewd many. †7. Of persons and their actions: Severe, harsh, stern. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > strictness > [adjective] > severe or stern wrothc893 retheeOE stithc897 starkOE sternOE hardOE dangerous?c1225 sharpa1340 asperc1374 austerec1384 shrewda1387 snella1400 sternful?a1400 unsterna1400 dour?a1425 piquant1521 tetrical1528 tetric1533 sorea1535 rugged?1548 severe1548 hard-handed1611 Catonian1676 tetricous1727 heavy1849 acerbic1853 stiff1856 Catonic1883 tough1905 the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > harshness or severity > [adjective] heavyc825 retheeOE stithc897 hardeOE starkOE sternOE dangerous?c1225 sharp?c1225 unsoftc1275 sturdy1297 asperc1374 austerec1384 shrewda1387 snella1400 sternful?a1400 dour?a1425 thrallc1430 piquant1521 tetrical1528 tetric1533 sorea1535 rugged?1548 severe1548 iron1574 harsh1579 strict1600 angry1650 Catonian1676 Draconic1708 tetricous1727 alkaline1789 acerbic1853 stiff1856 acerbate1869 acerbitous1870 Draconian1876 Catonic1883 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 379 Oure men beeþ schrewed and angry inow to hem self, but in Goddes seruauntes þey leye neuere no hond. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) x. l. 730 The Captane than a schrewed ansuer him gaiff. a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. xvi. sig. Z7^v She being sharp-set vpon the fulfilling of a shrewde office, in ouer-looking Philoclea. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxvii. xxxiv. 654 The hard and shrewd dealings of a mans countrie. 1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. vi. 133 The Bishop..gave him..such a shrewd remembrance, partly with words, and partly with his crosier staffe. 8. Severe, sharp, hard. a. Of a blow, wound. archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > [adjective] > wounded > seriously or mortally wounded > of wound: severe shrewd1596 1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 26 They..gauen hym many a shrewde stroke. a1500 Brut 593 This shal be þe shrewdest bofet þat euer thow yovyst. 1596 T. Lodge Wits Miserie (1879) 92 Hee [the devil] will giue a shroud wound with his tongue. 1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. iv. 211 Me thought a made a shrewd thrust at your belly. View more context for this quotation 1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 39 Many..were drowned, or forced on shore with shrewd hurts, and bruises. a1713 T. Ellwood Hist. Life (1714) 237 He struck her with the Stick, a shrewd Blow over the Breast. 1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 8 Those shrewd thrusts, that flashing scorn, that relentless fire, those downright grapples, with which the hated Voltaire pushed on his work of ‘crushing the Infamous’. 1885 V. L. Cameron Across Afr. (ed. 2) xvi. 224 One or two got some shrewd knocks. †b. Of conflict or effort. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > [adjective] > carried on violently stithc1000 strongOE starkOE storlicc1275 stourc1275 sharpc1381 stalwartc1420 sturdya1450 sorea1500 vehement1531 shrewd1576 perperacute1647 furied1878 1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 43 To abide other bitter bruntes and shrewde skirmishes of aduersitie. 1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 111 Foure thousand men would have made a shrewd adventure to have taken his Indies from him. 1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 366 Many a shrewd brush did some of the Townsmen meet with from them. View more context for this quotation 1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 21 They adventure with better force, and in shrewder Battels. 9. Sharp, piercing, keen. a. Of a weapon or the like; also of pain. archaic. (After Shakespeare: see quot. 1597 at sense 2.) ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > types of pain > [adjective] > smarting or stinging smartingOE biting1340 stingingc1400 mordicant?a1425 pungitive?a1425 raw1590 pungent1598 stanging1602 stingyc1615 scorpiaca1670 verberous1688 shrewd1842 snapping1845 stounding1848 mordant1876 smartful1906 the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > of action: involving or requiring vigour > vigorous or intense in operation strongeOE smartc1300 steevec1300 keen1340 piercinga1400 perceantc1400 forta1513 incisive1528 vigorous1548 forcible1555 emphatical1581 searching1590 nervous1616 strenuous1632 arrowy1650 intent1650 urging1658 sinewous1663 emphatic1689 drastic1808 needling1839 shrewd1842 gimlet1894 the world > space > shape > sharpness of edge or point > [adjective] sharpc825 bitel?c1200 keena1225 carving?c1225 fellc1330 trenchantc1330 snarpc1480 cuttinga1533 tart?a1534 undullc1540 steel-sharpa1560 teen1578 unrebated1579 unbated1604 biting1607 eager?1611 unblunted1656 shrewd1878 cutty1903 society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > [adjective] finec1400 keen-edgeda1616 shrewd1878 1842 Ld. Tennyson St. Simeon Stylites in Poems (new ed.) II. 62 A sting of shrewdest pain Ran shrivelling thro' me. 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxxxiii. 5 A shrewder stimulus arms her, Anger. 1878 R. Browning Two Poets of Croisic in La Saisiaz & Two Poets of Croisic 107 Sharpest shrewdest steel that ever stabbed To death Imposture. b. Of the air, wind, weather. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cold weather > [adjective] > sharp or bitter fellc1330 snithinga1350 sharpc1435 hoar?a1500 sneaping1598 shrewd1603 bittera1616 snithe1671 cutting1798 stingy1823 1642 D. Rogers Naaman 96 There comes a shrewd right winde, and gets into the hollow of the tree. 1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 581 All plants..that can endure The winter's frown, if screen'd from his shrewd bite. 1824 W. Irving Tales of Traveller I. 23 The night was shrewd and windy. 1849 Rossetti Ruggiero & Angelica 9 The sky is harsh, and the sea shrewd and salt. 1864 J. R. Lowell Fireside Trav. 337 That shrewd Yorkshire atmosphere. 1894 S. R. Crockett Raiders xviii. 159 The air was shrewd as it breathed from the north. advb.1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iv. 1 The ayre bites shrewd [1604 shroudly]; it is an eager and An nipping winde. c. Of sound: Harsh. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > harsh or discordant quality > [adjective] hardOE rudea1375 stern1390 rougha1400 discordanta1425 stoutc1440 hoarse1513 harsh1530 raughtish1567 rugged1567 dissonant1573 harshy1582 jarry1582 immelodious1601 cragged1605 raggeda1616 unmusicala1616 absonousa1620 unharmoniousa1634 inharmonical1683 unharmonic1694 inharmonious1715 craggy1774 pebbly1793 reedy1795 iron1807 dry1819 inharmonic1828 asperated1835 sawing1851 shrewd1876 coarse1879 callithumpian1886 dissonantal1946 ear-bending1946 sandpaper1953 1876 A. C. Swinburne Erechtheus 10 The song-notes of our fear, Shrewd notes and shrill, not clear or joyful-sounding. †10. a. Of a sign, token, etc.: Of ill omen, ominous; hence, strongly indicative (of something unfavourable). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [adjective] > inauspicious > of omens, signs, etc. traversanta1500 shrewd1577 sinister1579 traversary1851 the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > an omen, sign, portent > [adjective] > of evil omen portentousc1487 shrewd1577 sinister1579 luckless1584 fatal1590 portentive1594 inauspicious1599 misboding1607 mal-ominous1612 ill-bodinga1616 unauspiciousa1616 portentful1633 ill-aboding1635 ill-omened1685 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 177 Be sure to marke them well..whether they goe all out or no: for yf they doo, it is a shrewde signe they wyll away. 1619 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus (new ed.) ii. 8 Bitternesse [is] a shrewd signe of a bad cause. a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1958) IX. 229 If our own heart..condemne us, this is shrewd evidence, saies S. Iohn. 1691 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. 186 'Tis a shrewd Symptom of an ill habit of Body. 1692 S. Patrick Answer to Touchstone of Reformed Gospel 262 We hear not a word of Fathers to countenance this Doctrine, which is a shrow'd sign it is so far from being Ancient, that they speak directly against it. 1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron II. vi. xvii. 62 When a Man is against Reason, it is a shrewd sign Reason is against him. b. Of probability, etc. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adjective] > of probability: strong shrewd1542 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes i. f. 149 A good plain maner of knowelage geuyng it was & a shrewd likelyhood. 1619 W. Sclater Expos. 1 Thess. v. 554 To array our selues..aboue our Calling [is] no lesse then Pride; at least a shrewd species and appearance of it. 1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Moralists ii. 52 If Pain be Ill..we have..a shrewd Chance on the ill side, but none at all on the better. 11. Of a piece of evidence: Hard to get over, ‘awkward’, damaging. archaic. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > contrary evidence > [adjective] > of evidence: damaging shrewd1606 1606 P. Holland in tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars Annot. 4 If his Questour or Treasurer had beene condemned, it would haue beene a shrewde precedent for his conviction also in the same cause. 1633 W. Laud Let. 11 Mar. in Earl of Strafford Lett. & Disp. (1739) I. 213 I am afraid that many of them will be found Guilty: You give me one shrewd Instance in the Bishop of Waterford. 1692 Vindiciæ Carol. ii. 31 The pinching Article against him [Strafford] was the Twenty third... A shrewd Article no doubt, and sufficiently evidences their Crime. 1849 H. Miller Foot-prints of Creator 310 A shrewd fact, which they who expect most from the future of this world would do well to consider. †12. a. Given to railing or scolding; shrewish. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > invective or abuse > [adjective] > given to invective or abuse shrewda1387 abusious1594 the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill-naturedness > ill nature in woman or shrewishness > [adjective] shrew1297 shrewda1387 scoldinga1533 shrewish?1566 cotquean-like1581 virago1598 vixena1660 termagant1668 vixenlya1677 calleting1691 rudas1802 termagantish1823 vixenish1828 α. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 285 Tweie schrewed [L. ligitiosissimas] wifes þat wolde alway chide and stryve. 1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) xlvii. 69 The tale and matere of the euylle and shrewde wyues. 1550 M. Coverdale tr. O. Werdmueller Spyrytuall & Precyouse Pearle xv. sig. Giij^v His [Socrates'] curst & shreud wyfe. 1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. i. 17 Thou wilt neuer get thee a husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue. View more context for this quotation 1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 223 Somewhat shrewd to her servants. a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Shrop. 2 The Poets faining Juno, chaste and thrifty, qualities which commonly attend a shrewd nature. β. a1500 Brome Bk. 11 The properte of a schrod qwen ys to have hyr wyll.?c1530 in Pol. Rel. & Love Poems, etc. (1903) 58 Thowe shalte bettyr chastise a shrode wyfe with myrthe, then with strokes or smytyng.a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) i. ii. 69 As old as Sibell, and as curst and shrow'd As Socrates Zentippe. b. Of words, language: Scolding, railing, abusive. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > [adjective] > of the nature of scolding shrewd1538 1538 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) II. 128 If ye had..sowght fully to instructe me in the matier, then thus to desire to conquer me by shrowde wordes. 1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Confero Maledicta in aliquem, to rayle at one; to geue shrewde woordes. 1606 P. Holland tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars 191 She had reviled him & given him shrewd words. 1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 488 With shrew'd Acerbious speech, you Anathematize. a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) London 197 Shrewd words are sometimes improved into smart blows betwixt them. 13. a. In early use: †Cunning, artful (obsolete). Now only in favourable sense: Clever or keen-witted in practical affairs; astute or sagacious in action or speech. (The chief current sense.) ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adjective] warec888 craftyOE hinderyeapc1000 yepec1000 foxc1175 slya1200 hinderc1200 quaint?c1225 wrenchfulc1225 wiltfula1250 wilyc1330 subtle1340 cautelous138. sleightful1380 subtile1387 enginousa1393 wilfula1400 wilyc1407 sleighty1412 serpentinec1422 ginnousa1425 wittya1425 semyc1440 artificial?a1475 sleight1495 slapea1500 shrewdc1525 craftly1526 foxy1528 gleering?1533 foxish1535 insidious1545 vafrous1548 wily beguile1550 wilely1556 fine1559 todly1571 practic1585 subdolous1588 captious1590 witryff1598 cautel1606 cunninga1616 versute1616 shiftfula1618 artificious1624 insidiary1625 canny1628 lapwing-like1638 pawky?a1640 tricksome1648 callid1656 versutious1660 artful1663 slim1674 dexterous1701 trickish1705 supple1710 slid1719 vulpinary1721 tricksy1766 trickful1775 sneck-drawing1786 tricky1786 louche1819 sneck-drawn1820 slyish1828 vulpine1830 kokum1839 spidery1843 dodgy1861 ladino1863 carney1881 slinky1951 the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adjective] > astute oldOE witterc1100 pratc1175 smeighc1200 fellc1300 yap13.. far-castinga1387 parlousc1390 advisee?a1400 politic?a1439 astucec1550 political1577 astute1611 knowing1664 shrewda1684 sharp1697 leery1718 peery1721 fly1811 canny1816 flash1818 astucious1823 varmint1829 chickaleary1839 wide1879 snide1883 varminty1907 crazy like (or as) a fox1935 α. c1525 J. Rastell New Commodye Propertes of Women sig. Aiii Semyng to be shepe and serpently shrewd. 1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxi. 209 Least with their shrewd wits, when they were maried they might become a little too phantasticall wiues. 1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 47 By acting sharpe old men, shrewd servants,..and all such parts as did require some noise and stirre. a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1675 (1955) IV. 66 His Lady had ben very handsom, & seem'd a shrew'd understanding woman. 1706 G. Stanhope Paraphr. Epist. & Gospels III. 331 The Men of the World are abundantly more shrewd in the Business of it, than even Good Men are in the Management of their great and eternal Concern. 1807 Salmagundi 14 Aug. 265 A shrewd old gentleman, who stood listening by with a mischievously equivocal look. 1867 S. Smiles Huguenots Eng. & Ireland ii. 27 Palissy was..by nature a shrewd observer and an independent thinker. 1880 L. Stephen Alexander Pope iv. 102 A woman of shrewd intellect and masculine character. 1884 Ld. Tennyson Falcon i. i. 468 Lady, I find you a shrewd bargainer. absolute.1867 J. R. Lowell Fitz Adam's Story 360 Hard-headed and soft-hearted, you'd scarce meet A kinder mixture of the shrewd and sweet.β. 1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. C3^v They tolde the king he was a foole, and some shrewd head had knauishly wrought on him.1605 G. Chapman Al Fooles iv. i. H 2 Rinal. Y'aue gotten a learned Notarie Signior Cornelio. Corn. Hees a shroad fellow indeed.1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. ii. 186 He has a shrow'd wit. View more context for this quotation b. Of action, speech: †Cunning, artful (obsolete); characterized by penetration or practical sagacity. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective] sharpc888 yepec1000 spacka1200 yare-witelc1275 fellc1300 yap13.. seeinga1382 far-castinga1387 sightya1400 perceivinga1425 snellc1425 politic?a1439 quickc1449 pregnant?a1475 pert1484 quick-wittedc1525 apt1535 intelligentc1540 queemc1540 ready-witted1576 political1577 of (a) great, deep, etc., reach1579 conceited1583 perspicuous1584 sharp-witteda1586 shrewd1589 inseeing1590 conceived1596 acute1598 pregnate1598 agile1599 nimble-headed1601 insighted1602 nimble1604 nimble-witted1604 penetrant1605 penetrating1606 spraga1616 acuminous1619 discoursing1625 smart1639 penetrativea1641 sagacious1650 nasute1653 acuminate1654 blunt-sharpa1661 long-headed1665 smoky1688 rapid1693 keen1704 gash1706 snack1710 cute1731 mobile1778 wide awake1785 acuminated1786 quick-minded1789 kicky1790 snap1790 downy1803 snacky1806 unbaffleable1827 varmint1829 needle-sharp1836 nimble-brained1836 incisivea1850 spry1849 fast1850 snappy1871 hard-boiled1884 on the spot1903 the mind > mental capacity > understanding > wisdom, sagacity > worldly wisdom > [adjective] world-wiseOE worldly-wisec1400 smart1571 shrewd1589 hard1655 sharp1697 auld-farrant1702 up to snuff1810 canny1816 savvy1826 worldly1829 lairy1846 facultized1872 sophisticated1895 hep1899 hip1904 streetwise1949 ready1967 kewl1990 the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [adjective] > specifically of actions, qualities, etc. craftyc1225 subtle1340 slyc1380 sleightlyc1402 subtilec1405 wilyc1407 sleighty1412 foxly1528 sleight1533 colubrinec1540 serpentical1546 fox-like1587 shrewd1589 vulpine1628 insidiating1632 serpentic1661 serpentary1681 artful1865 the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective] > of speech, action readya1400 politicc1430 feat1519 handsome?1543 witty1551 political1577 conceited1583 shrewd1761 sagacious1831 kokum1839 1589 ‘Pasquill of England’ Returne of Pasquill sig. Bj Whereuppon they presume to make a shrewde scruple of their obedience. 1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης xxvi. 209 The shrewdest and the cunningest obloquie that can be thrown upon thir actions. 1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxvii. 120 Empson made a shrewd apology for himself. 1781 W. Cowper Table Talk 205 The cause..may yet elude Conjecture and remark, however shrewd. 1824 W. Irving Tales of Traveller II. 259 An eminent man, who had waxed wealthy by driving shrewd bargains with the Indians. 1882 J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. II. 113 Taking shrewd advantage of the Lord Chancellor's unlucky mistake. 1884 R. W. Church Bacon iii. 59 He liked to observe, to generalise in shrewd and sometimes cynical epigrams. c. Of the face or look. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > [adjective] > of facial expression shrewd1816 1816 W. Scott Antiquary I. i. 7 A shrewd and penetrating eye. 1877 ‘Mrs. Forrester’ Mignon i Fred Conyngham..has a plain, shrewd face. 1877 W. Black Green Pastures & Piccadilly I. iii. 39 The shaggy, dark brown eyebrows gave shadow and intensity to the shrewd and piercing grey eyes. 14. Of a suspicion or guess: Coming ‘dangerously’ near to the truth of the matter. (? Partly arising from sense 10.) ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > conjecture, guessing > [adjective] > of a guess: close to the truth shrewd1588 near1662 1588 J. Harvey Discoursiue Probl. conc. Prophesies 127 I denie not but the wisest..politiques may..giue a shrewd gesse, and go neare the marke. 1599 Warning for Faire Women ii. 1025 Should you be guilty of this fact, As this your flight hath given shrewde suspition. a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 434 Tis a shrewd doubt, tho it be but a dreame. View more context for this quotation 1653 H. More Antidote against Atheisme iii. xii. §3 It is a shrewd presumption that he doth lie with them indeed. 1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair li. 452 I have a shrewd idea that it is a humbug. Compounds C1. shrewd-eyed, shrewd-headed, †shrewd-hearted, shrewd-looking, shrewd-pated, shrewd-tongued, †shrewd-wit, shrewd-working adjs. ΚΠ c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 449/1 Schrewyd hertyd, pravicors. 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 25 The priest Calchas was broght by the shrewdwyt Vlisses. 1607 S. Hieron Worth Water of Life in Wks. (1620) I. 197 A shrewd-tongued woman. 1629 J. Ford Lovers Melancholy iv. 58 A shrewd-braine Whorson, there's pith In his vntoward plainenesse. 1629 tr. Herodian Hist. (1635) 199 A notable shrewd-pated Fellow. 1828 E. Bulwer-Lytton Pelham I. xvi. 111 She was a pretty, fair, shrewd looking person. 1856 J. G. Whittier Panorama 9 The shrewd-eyed salesman, garrulous and loud. 1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake I. ix. 216 The..shrewdest-headed..Berserker in the North Seas. 1959 Daily Tel. 20 May 17/1 A smiling, shrewd-eyed woman. C2. shrewd-head n. Australian and New Zealand slang a cunning person. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > cunning > [noun] > astuteness > person Yorker1599 ferret1629 Yorkshire bite1801 file1819 gnostic1819 shrewdc1858 shrewd-head1916 shrewdie1916 piss-cutter1935 1916 C. J. Dennis Songs Sentimental Bloke (new ed.) 43 Now this 'ere gorspil bloke's a fair shrewd 'ead. 1946 J. Morrison in Coast to Coast 163 Some shrewd-head overseas will get the blame for that pillaged case. 1960 N. Hilliard Maori Girl iii. i. 177 Only the shrewd-heads go for that hard stuff: the shysters the takes. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.c1858adj.13..
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shrewdn.

shrewdadj.

Compounds