acute Hear it!

acute definition

acute (ə kyo̵̅o̅t′)

adjective

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

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

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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