acuate

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin acuātus, past participle of acuāre, variant of Classical Latin acuere, present active infinitive of acuō (“I sharpen”), from acus (“needle”).

Pronunciation

• (adjective) IPA^(key): /ˈæk.ju.ət/

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• (verb) IPA^(key): /ˈæk.ju.eɪt/

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Adjective

acuate (comparative more acuate, superlative most acuate)

1. Sharpened; sharp-pointed.

Verb

acuate (third-person singular simple present acuates, present participle acuating, simple past and past participle acuated)

1. (obsolete, transitive) To sharpen; to make pungent; to quicken.
   • 1764, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury, The Life of Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury:

     wicked dispositions shou'd have knowledge to acuate their ill intentions