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acute
[ uh-kyoot ]
/ əˈkyut /
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adjective
noun
Phonetics, Orthography. the acute accent.
OTHER WORDS FOR acute
4 keen, astute, discerning, perceptive, intelligent, perspicacious; sharp-witted, clever, smart, bright, ingenious, brilliant; knowing, wise, sage, sagacious, sapient.
5 keen.
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Origin of acute
First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin acūtus “sharpened,” past participle of acuere (acū-, verb stem, akin to acus “needle,” ācer “sharp” + -tus past participle suffix)
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use acute in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for acute
acute
/ (əˈkjuːt) /
adjective
noun
an acute accent
Derived forms of acute
acutely, adverbacuteness, nounWord Origin for acute
C14: from Latin acūtus, past participle of acuere to sharpen, from acus needle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.