acuter; acutest
Definition of acute
1a(1)
: characterized by sharpness or severity of sudden onset
acute pain
(2)
: having a sudden onset, sharp rise, and short course
acute illness
(3)
: being, providing, or requiring short-term medical care (as for serious illness or traumatic injury)
acute hospitals an acute patient
b
: lasting a short time
acute experiments
2
: ending in a sharp point: such as
a
: being or forming an angle measuring less than 90 degrees
an acute angle
b
: composed of acute angles
an acute triangle
3a
of an accent mark
: having the form ´
b
: marked with an acute accent
c
: of the variety indicated by an acute accent
4a
: marked by keen discernment or intellectual perception especially of subtle distinctions
an acute thinker
b
: responsive to slight impressions or stimuli
acute hearing
5
: felt, perceived, or experienced intensely
acute distress
6
: demanding urgent attention
an acute emergency
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for acute
The first known use of acute was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century