Main Entry: ob·tuse

Pronunciation: \äb-ˈtüs, əb-, -ˈtyüs\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): ob·tus·er; ob·tus·est

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin obtusus blunt, dull, from past participle of obtundere to beat against, blunt, from ob- against + tundere to beat — more at ob-, contusion

Date: 15th century

1 a : not pointed or acute : blunt b (1) of an angle : exceeding 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees (2) : having an obtuse angle <an obtuse triangle> — see triangle illustration c of a leaf : rounded at the free end
2 a : lacking sharpness or quickness of sensibility or intellect : insensitive, stupid b : difficult to comprehend : not clear or precise in thought or expression

synonyms see dull

— ob·tuse·ly adverb

— ob·tuse·ness noun