keen-set

A child is keen-set for a slice of chocolate cake.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Eager or hungry: "keen-set" describes a state of strong desire or appetite, often for food but also for something eagerly anticipated.
   • Sharpened or intensified: It can imply a heightened readiness or acute longing, as if one's senses are finely tuned toward a specific goal.

Usage Examples

• (They felt a strong, eager hunger.)
• (They had an intense, eager desire to know the outcomes.)
• (His look was sharp and full of focused longing.)

Advanced Usage

• "keen-set for something": a fixed phrase meaning to be intensely desirous of something.
  • The detective was keen-set for any clue that could solve the case. (He was eagerly and sharply focused on finding evidence.)
• "as keen-set as a wolf": a simile emphasizing ravenous hunger or intense craving.
  • He ate his dinner as keen-set as a wolf, devouring everything on his plate. (He ate with great eagerness and hunger.)

Variants and Related Words

• Keen (adj): eager, enthusiastic, or sharp.
  • She is a keen observer of human behavior. (She is sharp and attentive.)
• Keenness (n): the quality of being eager or sharp.
  • His keenness for learning impressed the teacher. (His eagerness was notable.)
• Set (adj): fixed or determined.
  • He is set on becoming a doctor. (He is determined.)

Synonyms

• Eager: full of enthusiasm or desire.
• Hungry: having a strong desire for food or something else.
• Avid: having an intense interest or longing.
• Ravenous: extremely hungry or greedy.

Related Idioms

• To have a keen appetite: to be very hungry or eager for something.
  • After the race, the runners had a keen appetite for rest and water. (They strongly desired recovery.)
• To be set on something: to be determined to achieve or obtain something.
  • She is set on winning the championship. (She is firmly determined.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Set on: to be determined to do or have something.
  • The team was set on winning the match. (They were firmly resolved.)
• Keen on: to be enthusiastic about or interested in something.
  • He is keen on learning new languages. (He is eager about it.)