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acute

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The definition of acute refers to an illness or injury that is severe but that usually won't last a long time.

(adjective)

An example of the word acute would be when you fall and hurt your wrist resulting in breakage or fracture. This would be considered acute wrist pain as it came on quickly, is severe and will likely subside relatively quickly.

Acute is defined as something that is very serious, severe or extreme.

(adjective)

An example of acute sorrow is the grief a person feels after his spouse dies.

See acute in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

having a sharp point
keen or quick of mind; shrewd
sensitive to impressions: acute hearing
severe and sharp, as pain, jealousy, etc.
severe but of short duration; not chronic: said of some diseases
very serious; critical; crucial: an acute shortage of workers
shrill; high in pitch
of less than 90 degrees: an acute angle
intensive (sense )

Origin: L acutus, pp. of acuere, sharpen: see acumen

Related Forms:

acutely adverb
acuteness noun

See acute in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Having a sharp point or tip.
Keenly perceptive or discerning: “a raw, chilling and psychologically acute novel of human passions reduced to their deadliest essence” (Literary Guild Magazine). See Synonyms at sharp.
Reacting readily to stimuli or impressions; sensitive: His hearing was unusually acute.
Of great importance or consequence; crucial: an acute lack of research funds.
Extremely sharp or severe; intense: acute pain; acute relief.
Medicine
a. Having a rapid onset and following a short but severe course: acute disease.
b. Afflicted by a disease exhibiting a rapid onset followed by a short, severe course: acute patients.
Music High in pitch; shrill.
Geometry Having an acute angle: an acute triangle.