acute

a-cute · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    [medicine](Of a disease or condition) severe but of short duration.

  2. 2.

    (Of a problem or situation) very serious or severe.

  3. 3.

    (Of the senses or mental faculties) highly developed; keen.

  4. 4.

    [geometry](Of an angle) less than 90 degrees.

  5. 5.

    (Of a sound) high-pitched; shrill.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    acute angle — An angle less than 90 degrees.
  • •
    acute care — Immediate medical treatment for severe conditions.
  • •
    acute accent — A diacritical mark (').
  • •
    acutely aware — Extremely conscious of something.

Related words

Antonyms: chronic, dull, mild, obtuse
See also: chronic, intense, severe, sharp
Synonyms: intense, keen, severe, sharp

Etymology

From Latin acutus ("sharp, pointed"), past participle of acuere ("to sharpen"), from acus ("needle").