- A fine-grained whetstone for giving a keen edge to a cutting tool.
- A tool with a rotating abrasive tip for enlarging holes to precise dimensions.
- To sharpen on a fine-grained whetstone.
- To perfect or make more intense or effective: a speaker who honed her delivery by long practice.
hone in
- To move or advance toward a target or goal: The missiles honed in on the military installation.
- To direct one's attention; focus: The lawyer honed in on the gist of the plaintiff's testimony.
[Middle English, from Old English hān, stone. Hone in, alteration of home in.]
hone2 (hōn)

intr.v. Informal., honed, hon·ing, hones.
- To whine or moan.
- To hanker; yearn.
[Obsolete French hoigner, from Old French, perhaps from hon, cry of discontent.]



