obtuse
[ uhb-toos, -tyoos ]
/ əbˈtus, -ˈtyus /
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adjective
not quick or alert in perception, feeling, or intellect; not sensitive or observant; dull.
not sharp, acute, or pointed; blunt in form.
(of a leaf, petal, etc.) rounded at the extremity.
indistinctly felt or perceived, as pain or sound.
SYNONYMS FOR obtuse
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of obtuse
1500–10; <Latin obtūsus dulled (past participle of obtundere), equivalent to ob-ob- + tūd-, variant stem of tundere to beat + -tus past participle suffix, with dt>s
OTHER WORDS FROM obtuse
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH obtuse
abstruse, obtuseWords nearby obtuse
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for obtuse
British Dictionary definitions for obtuse
obtuse
/ (əbˈtjuːs) /
adjective
mentally slow or emotionally insensitive
maths
- (of an angle) lying between 90° and 180°
- (of a triangle) having one interior angle greater than 90°
not sharp or pointed
indistinctly felt, heard, etc; dullobtuse pain
(of a leaf or similar flat part) having a rounded or blunt tip
Derived forms of obtuse
obtusely, adverbobtuseness, nounWord Origin for obtuse
C16: from Latin obtūsus dulled, past participle of obtundere to beat down; see obtund
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medical definitions for obtuse
obtuse
[ ŏb-tōōs′, əb- ]
adj.
Lacking quickness of perception or intellect.
Not sharp or acute; blunt.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.