obtuse Definition
ob·tuse (äb to̵̅o̅s′, əb-; --tyo̵̅o̅s′)
adjective
- not sharp or pointed; blunt
- greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees an obtuse angle
- slow to understand or perceive; dull or insensitive
- not producing a sharp impression; not acute an obtuse pain
Etymology: L obtusus, blunted, dull, pp. of obtundere: see obtund
obtuse Related Forms
ob·tuse′ly adverb
ob·tuse′·ness noun or ob·tu′·sity
obtuse Synonyms
obtuse
modif.
obtuse Telecom Definition
- In mathematics, an angle greater than 90 degrees, but less than 180 degrees.
- A person who is slow to comprehend or understand, or who is dull or insensitive. We all know such people. See also abstruse.
obtuse Usage Examples
Modifies a noun
- ans: Katie Jane Garside: I think I give very obtuse ans The Visions - who, what and why?
- angle: Taking a very slightly over obtuse angle on the final strokes with the fine stone also helps.
- language: Do you have time put aside for scrutiny of evidence and awareness raising about what the obtuse language in such documents actually means?
- way: And as a nation, we'll likely continue in our strange obtuse ways.
- edge: The temptation is to improve the edge but with less grinding by making a more obtuse edge.
- lyric: Often the absolute meanings are hidden behind obtuse lyrics and intricate symbolism.
Modifying Another Word
- deliberately: People will start to question our grasp of reality, or think we are being deliberately obtuse.
- rather: They provide a very powerful, but also rather obtuse, set of tools for finding particular words or combinations of characters in strings.
- too: And she is far too obtuse to understand that the French King is only after what will serve him.
- so: One wonders why some previous critics and readers were so obtuse!
- very: Katie Jane Garside: I think I give very obtuse ans REPEAT: How did Jarcrew get together?
- willfully: Only the hopelessly naïve or willfully obtuse can believe that these were the real motives for the war.
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