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Pronunciation: &-'kyüt Function: adjective Inflected Form(s): acut·er; acut·est Etymology: Latin acutus, past participle of acuere to sharpen, from acus needle; akin to Latin acer sharp -- more at EDGE Date: 14th century 1 a (1) : characterized by sharpness or severity <acute pain> (2) : having a sudden onset, sharp rise, and short course <acute disease> b : lasting a short time <acute experiments> 2 : ending in a sharp point: as a : being or forming an angle measuring less than 90 degrees <acute angle> b : composed of acute angles <acute triangle> 3 a of an accent mark : having the form ´ b : marked with an acute accent c : of the variety indicated by an acute accent 4 a : marked by keen discernment or intellectual perception especially of subtle distinctions : PENETRATING <an acute thinker> b : responsive to slight impressions or stimuli <acute hearing> 5 : felt, perceived, or experienced intensely <acute distress> 6 : seriously demanding urgent attention - acute·ly adverb - acute·ness noun 7 : [medicine] - describes a condition where pain is the predominate symptom (compare with chronic) synonyms ACUTE, CRITICAL, CRUCIAL mean of uncertain outcome. ACUTE stresses intensification of conditions leading to a culmination or breaking point <an acute housing shortage>. CRITICAL adds to ACUTE implications of imminent change, of attendant suspense, and of decisiveness in the outcome <the war has entered a critical phase>. CRUCIAL suggests a dividing of the ways and often a test or trial involving the determination of a future course or direction <a crucial vote>. synonym see in addition SHARP |
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