acute
English
Etymology
From Latin acūtus (“sharp”), perfect passive participle of acuō (“sharpen, make sharp”). Cognate to ague (“acute, intermittent fever”).
Pronunciation
Adjective
acute (comparative acuter or more acute, superlative acutest or most acute)
- Urgent.
- His need for medical attention was acute.
- Sensitive.
- She had an acute sense of honor.
- Eagles have very acute vision.
- Short, quick.
- It was an acute event.
- (geometry) Of an angle, less than 90 degrees.
- (geometry) Of a triangle, having all three interior angles measuring less than 90 degrees.
- (botany, of leaves) With the sides meeting directly to form a pointed acute angle at the apex, base, or both.
- (medicine) Of an abnormal condition of recent or sudden onset, in contrast to delayed onset; this sense does not imply severity (unlike the common usage).
- He dropped dead of an acute illness.
- (medicine) Of a short-lived condition, in contrast to a chronic condition; this sense also does not imply severity.
- 2013 May-June, Katie L. Burke, “In the News”, American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, page 193:
- Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.
- The acute symptoms resolved promptly.
- 2013 May-June, Katie L. Burke, “In the News”, American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, page 193:
- (orthography, after a letter) Having an acute accent.
- The last letter of “café” is ‘e’ acute.
- High or shrill.
- an acute tone or accent
Synonyms
- (urgent): pressing, urgent, emergent, sudden
- (sensitive): intense, powerful, strong, sharp, keen
- (quick): fast, rapid
- (triangle): acute-angled
- (leaf shape): obtuse
Antonyms
- (sensitive): dull, witless, obtuse, slow
- (angle): obtuse
- (quick): slow, leisurely
- (triangle): obtuse, obtuse-angled
- (medicine: condition): chronic
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
urgent
sensitive
geometry: of an angle
geometry: acute-angled — see acute-angled
botany: having an acute angle
medicine: of an abnormal condition
medicine: of a short-lived condition
orthography: letter with acute accent
Noun
acute (plural acutes)
- (orthography) An acute accent.
- The word “cafe” often has an acute over the ‘e’.
Translations
acute accent — see acute accent
Verb
acute (third-person singular simple present acutes, present participle acuting, simple past and past participle acuted)
- (phonetics) To give an acute sound to.
- He acutes his rising inflection too much.
Translations
give an acute sound