Acute \A*cute"\, a. [L. acutus, p. p. of acuere to sharpen, fr.
a root ak to be sharp. Cf. {Ague}, {Cute}, {Edge}.]
1. Sharp at the end; ending in a sharp point; pointed; --
opposed to {blunt} or {obtuse}; as, an acute angle; an
acute leaf.
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2. Having nice discernment; perceiving or using minute
distinctions; penetrating; clever; shrewd; -- opposed to
{dull} or {stupid}; as, an acute observer; acute remarks,
or reasoning.
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3. Having nice or quick sensibility; susceptible to slight
impressions; acting keenly on the senses; sharp; keen;
intense; as, a man of acute eyesight, hearing, or feeling;
acute pain or pleasure.
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4. High, or shrill, in respect to some other sound; --
opposed to {grave} or {low}; as, an acute tone or accent.
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5. (Med.) Attended with symptoms of some degree of severity,
and coming speedily to a crisis; -- opposed to {chronic};
as, an acute disease. AS
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{Acute angle} (Geom.), an angle less than a right angle.
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Syn: Subtile; ingenious; sharp; keen; penetrating; sagacious;
sharp-witted; shrewd; discerning; discriminating. See
{Subtile}.
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