acute

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Antonyms 1.3.3 Derived terms 1.3.4 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.5 Verb 2 Italian 2.1 Adjective

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin acūtus (“‘sharp’”), perfect passive participle of acuō (“‘sharpen, make sharp’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

• Rhymes: -uːt

[edit] Adjective

acute (comparative more acute or acuter, superlative most acute or acutest)

1. Urgent.

   His need for medical attention was acute.

2. sensitive

   She had an acute sense of honor.

   Eagles have very acute vision.

3. Short, quick.

   It was an acute event.

4. (geometry) Of an angle, less than 90 degrees.
5. (geometry) Of a triangle, acute-angled.
6. (botany, of leaves) With the sides meeting directly to form a pointed acute angle at the apex, base, or both.
7. (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.

8. (medicine) Of a short-lived condition, in contrast to a chronic condition; this sense also does not imply severity.

   The acute symptoms resolved promptly.

9. (after a letter) Having an acute accent.

   The last letter of "café" is 'e' acute.

[edit] Synonyms

• (urgent): pressing, urgent, emergent, sudden
• (sensitive): intense, powerful, strong, sharp, keen
• (quick): fast, rapid
• (triangle): acute-angled
• (leaf shape): obtuse

[edit] Antonyms

• (sensitive): dull, witless, obtuse, slow
• (angle): obtuse
• (quick): slow, leisurely
• (triangle): obtuse, obtuse-angled
• (medicine: condition): chronic

[edit] Derived terms

• acutance
• acuity
• acute-angled
• acute accent
• acuteness

[edit] Translations

of a triangle See acute-angled

accent See acute accent

[edit] Noun

acute (plural acutes)

1. An acute accent.

   The word "cafe" often has an acute over the "e".

[edit] Verb

to acute (third-person singular simple present acutes, present participle acuting, simple past and past participle acuted)

1. To give an acute sound to.

   He acutes his rising inflection too much.

---

[edit] Italian

[edit] Adjective

acute f.

1. Feminine plural form of acuto