Main Entry: acute

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈkyüt\

Function: adjective

1 : sensing or perceiving accurately, clearly, effectively, or sensitively <acute vision>
2 a : characterized by sharpness or severity <acute pain> <an acute infection> b (1) : having a sudden onset, sharp rise, and short course <an acute disease> <an acute inflammation>—compare chronic 2a (2) : acute care <an acute hospital> c : lasting a short time <acute experiments>

—acute·ly adverb

—acute·ness noun