acute
[ uh-kyoot ]
/ əˈkyut /
adjective
noun
the acute accent.
Origin of acute
1560–70; < Latin
acūtus sharpened, past participle of
acuere (
acū-, v. stem, akin to
acus needle,
ācer sharp +
-tus past participle suffix)
SYNONYMS FOR acute
4
keen,
astute,
discerning,
perceptive,
intelligent,
perspicacious;
sharp-witted,
clever,
smart,
bright,
ingenious,
brilliant;
knowing,
wise,
sage,
sagacious,
sapient.
5
keen.
synonym study for acute
4.
Acute,
penetrating,
shrewd imply a keenness of understanding, perception, or insight.
Acute suggests particularly a clearness of perception and a realization of related meanings:
an acute intellect.
Penetrating adds the idea of depth of perception and a realization of implications:
a wise and penetrating judgment.
Shrewd adds the idea of knowing how to apply practically (or to one's own advantage) what one perceives and understands:
wary and shrewd.
OTHER WORDS FROM acute
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH acute
acute chronicWords nearby acute
Example sentences from the Web for acute
British Dictionary definitions for acute
acute
/ (əˈkjuːt) /
adjective
noun
an acute accent
Derived forms of acute
acutely, adverb acuteness, nounWord Origin for acute
C14: from Latin
acūtus, past participle of
acuere to sharpen, from
acus needle
Medical definitions for acute
acute
[ ə-kyōōt′ ]
adj.
Pointed at the end; sharp.
Of or relating to a disease or a condition with a rapid onset and a short, severe course.
Of or relating to a patient afflicted with such a disease.
Scientific definitions for acute
acute
[ ə-kyōōt′ ]
Reacting readily to stimuli or impressions, as hearing or eyesight; sensitive.
Relating to an illness that has a rapid onset and follows a short but severe course. Compare chronic.
Having an acute angle.