A-cūte′1, a.
a. [Lat. acutus, sharp-pointed, p. p. of acuere, to sharpen.]
Sense 1. Sharp at the end; ending in a sharp point; pointed; — opposed to blunt or obtuse; as, an acute angle; an acute leaf.
Sense 2. Having nice discernment; perceiving or using minute distinctions; penetrating; shrewd; — opposed to dull or stupid; as, an acute observer.
Sense 3. Having nice or quick sensibility; susceptible to slight impressions; as, a man of acute eyesight, hearing, or feeling.
Sense 4. High, or shrill, in respect to some other sound; — opposed to grave or low; as, an acute tone or accent.
Sense 5. (Med.) Attended with symptoms of some degree of severity, and coming speedily to a crisis; — opposed to chronic; as, an acute disease.
Acute angle (Geom.), an angle less than 90°, or less than a right angle. — Acute-angled triangle, a triangle with all its angles acute, or less than 90°.
Synonyms—Subtile; ingenious; keen; penetrating. See SUBTILE.
