Antonyms for keens


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : keen
Phonetic Transcription : kin


Definition of keens

Origin :
  • c.1200, from Old English cene "bold brave," later "clever, wise," from Proto-Germanic *kan- "be able to" (see can). Original prehistoric senses seem to have been both "brave" and "skilled;" cognate with Old Norse kænn "skillful, wise," Middle Dutch coene "bold," Dutch koen, Old High German kuon "pugnacious, strong," German kühn "bold, daring." Sense of "eager" is from mid-14c. The meaning "sharp" is peculiar to English: of blades and edges early 13c., of sounds c.1400, of eyesight c.1720. A popular word of approval in teenager and student slang from c.1900.
  • As in lament/lamentation : noun grief, complaint
  • As in ululation : noun howl
  • As in dirge : noun sad song
  • As in howl : noun long, painful cry
  • As in moan : verb groan, complain
  • As in mourn : verb be sad over loss
  • As in wail : verb cry loudly
  • As in weep : verb cry
  • As in ululate : verb howl
  • As in cry : verb weep and make sad sounds
  • As in grieve : verb mourn, feel deep distress
  • As in groan : verb moan, complain
Example sentences :
  • Keens and I then went towards the Tower, and stepped into a gunsmiths shop, and stopped some time.
  • Extract from : « The Chronicles of Crime or The New Newgate Calendar. v. 2/2 » by Camden Pelham
  • "Some might think so," replied Mrs. Keens, stopping her wringer to reflect a little.
  • Extract from : « Humorous Masterpieces from American Literature » by Various
  • Unlike Mrs. Davids, Mrs. Keens neither pitied herself nor would allow anybody else to do so.
  • Extract from : « Humorous Masterpieces from American Literature » by Various
  • The keeners may or may not be professional, and the keens are more often of a traditional than of an improvised description.
  • Extract from : « Essays in the Study of Folk-Songs (1886) » by Countess Evelyn Martinengo-Cesaresco
  • The Albanian keens are not always versified; 376 they sometimes consist simply in the endless reiteration of a single phrase.
  • Extract from : « Essays in the Study of Folk-Songs (1886) » by Countess Evelyn Martinengo-Cesaresco
  • We trusted to his judgment just like him and Mac would of trusted me to tell the taxi-driver where to go from Keens.
  • Extract from : « Believe You Me! » by Nina Wilcox Putnam

Synonyms for keens

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019