a. [ Compar. Shrewder superl. Shrewdest. ] [ Originally the p. p. of shrew, v.t. ] 1. Inclining to shrew; disposing to curse or scold; hence, vicious; malicious; evil; wicked; mischievous; vexatious; rough; unfair; shrewish. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Egypt ] hath many shrewd havens, because of the great rocks that ben strong and dangerous to pass by. Sir J. Mandeville. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every of this happy number
That have endured shrewd days and nights with us. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Artful; wily; cunning; arch. [ 1913 Webster ]

These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Able or clever in practical affairs; sharp in business; astute; sharp-witted; sagacious; keen; as, a shrewd observer; a shrewd design; a shrewd reply. [ 1913 Webster ]

Professing to despise the ill opinion of mankind creates a shrewd suspicion that we have deserved it. Secker. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Keen; critical; subtle; artful; astute; sagacious; discerning; acute; penetrating. -- Shrewd, Sagacious. One who is shrewd is keen to detect errors, to penetrate disguises, to foresee and guard against the selfishness of others. Shrewd is a word of less dignity than sagacious, which implies a comprehensive as well as penetrating mind, whereas shrewd does not. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Shrewd"ly, adv. -- Shrewd"ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]