Acute

[ə'kjuːt] or [ə'kjut]

Definition

(adj.) having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course; 'acute appendicitis'; 'the acute phase of the illness'; 'acute patients' .

(adj.) of critical importance and consequence; 'an acute (or critical) lack of research funds' .

(adj.) extremely sharp or intense; 'acute pain'; 'felt acute annoyance'; 'intense itching and burning' .

(adj.) having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions; 'an acute observer of politics and politicians'; 'incisive comments'; 'icy knifelike reasoning'; 'as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang'; 'penetrating insight'; 'frequent penetrative observations' .

(adj.) of an angle; less than 90 degrees .

Inputed by Laura--From WordNet

Definition

(a.) Sharp at the end; ending in a sharp point; pointed; -- opposed to blunt or obtuse; as, an acute angle; an acute leaf.

(a.) Having nice discernment; perceiving or using minute distinctions; penetrating; clever; shrewd; -- opposed to dull or stupid; as, an acute observer; acute remarks, or reasoning.

(a.) 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.

(a.) High, or shrill, in respect to some other sound; -- opposed to grave or low; as, an acute tone or accent.

(a.) Attended with symptoms of some degree of severity, and coming speedily to a crisis; -- opposed to chronic; as, an acute disease.

(v. t.) To give an acute sound to; as, he acutes his rising inflection too much.

Checked by Kathy

Synonyms and Synonymous

a. [1]. Sharp, pointed, ACUMINATED, CUSPIDATED.[2]. Keen, shrewd, discerning, knowing, quick, sharp, smart, bright, sage, sapient, sagacious, intelligent, astute, ingenious, subtle, penetrating, piercing, clear-sighted, sharp-witted, long-headed, UP TO SNUFF.[3]. Severe, violent, intense, poignant, exquisite, pungent.[4]. High, shrill, high-toned.

Editor: Louise

Synonyms and Antonyms

SYN:Pointed, penetrating, sagacious, perspicacious, keen, astute, piercing, sharp,shrewd, keen-sighted, severe, distressing

ANT:Dull, blunt, obtuse, stupid, undiscerning, heavy, chronic, stolid

Typist: Wolfgang

Definition

adj. sharp-pointed: keen: opp. of dull: shrewd: shrill: critical.—adv. Acute′ly.—n. Acute′ness.—Acute angle an angle less than a right angle (see Angle); Acute disease one coming to a violent crisis as opp. to Chronic.

Editor: Roxanne