transitive verb to sharpen the cutting edge of (a knife or tool); hone.He carefully whetted the blade of his dagger. See the full entry

adjective allowing much, often excessive, freedom of behavior; lenient.The parents are very permissive, and the children are rather spoiled as a result. See the full entry

transitive verb to conduct a survey of; poll.We’re canvassing the neighborhood to get public opinion on the proposed highway project. See the full entry

noun the ability to keenly perceive and judge.The director showed great discernment in choosing exactly the right actors for these roles. See the full entry

noun something that hinders passage or engulfs an unwary person.He’d accepted these enticing credit offers and now he was caught in a morass of debt. See the full entry