adj. phr. (B. E. and GROSE).—1. Hungry; (2) hard-driven.
1577. STANYHURST, Description of Ireland, 19. So SHARPE SET as to eat fried flies, butterd bees, stued snailes.
1579–80. J. LYLY, Euphues [T. L. KINGTON-OLIPHANT, The New English, i. 611. He has the following phrases that only just appeared in English … Clounish, SHARP SET …].
d. 1742. SOMERVILLE, The Officious Messenger, 150.
| The SHARP-SET squire resolves at last, | |
| Whate’er befel him, not to fast. |
1749. SMOLLETT, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 58. My appetite was SHARP-SET for a comfortable meal.
