noun

Etymology: ME < OE han, a stone, akin to ON hein, a hone < IE base *ko(i)-, to sharpen, whet > L cos, whetstone, cotes, sharp rock, Gr kōnos, cone

transitive verb honed, honing hon′·ing

1. to sharpen with or as with a hone
2. Mech. to enlarge or smooth (a bore) to exact specifications with a rotating stick (honing stone) containing abrasive material

intransitive verb honed, honing hon′·ing

1. to yearn; long
2. to grumble; moan

Etymology: ME honen < NormFr honer < OFr houir, to disgrace (< Frank *haunjan, to scorn, insult, akin to OE hean, wretched) < IE base *kau-, to humiliate > Latvian kauns, disgrace; sense infl. by OFr hognier, to grumble, prob. of echoic orig.