acute
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
From Latin acūtus (“sharp”), perfect passive participle of acuō (“sharpen, make sharp”). Cognate to ague (“acute, intermittent fever”).
Pronunciation [edit]
Adjective [edit]
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.
- The acute symptoms resolved promptly.
- (orthography, after a letter) Having an acute accent.
- The last letter of “café” is ‘e’ acute.
Synonyms [edit]
- (urgent): pressing, urgent, emergent, sudden
- (sensitive): intense, powerful, strong, sharp, keen
- (quick): fast, rapid
- (triangle): acute-angled
- (leaf shape): obtuse
Antonyms [edit]
- (sensitive): dull, witless, obtuse, slow
- (angle): obtuse
- (quick): slow, leisurely
- (triangle): obtuse, obtuse-angled
- (medicine: condition): chronic
Derived terms [edit]
Related terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
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 [edit]
acute (plural acutes)
- (orthography) An acute accent.
- The word “cafe” often has an acute over the ‘e’.
Translations [edit]
acute accent — see acute accent
Verb [edit]
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 [edit]
give an acute sound
Anagrams [edit]
Dutch [edit]
Pronunciation [edit]
- IPA: /ɑˈky.tə/
Adjective [edit]
acute
- the inflected formFAQ of acuut.
Italian [edit]
Pronunciation [edit]
- IPA: /aˈkuːte/
Adjective [edit]
acute f
- feminine plural form of acuto.
Anagrams [edit]
Latin [edit]
Participle [edit]
acūte
- vocative masculine singular of acūtus
