Definition of acute
acuter;
acutest
1 a (1)
:characterized by sharpness or severity
- acute pain
(2)
:having a sudden onset, sharp rise, and short course
- acute disease
(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
3 a
of an accent mark
:having the form ´
b
:marked with an acute accent
c
:of the variety indicated by an acute accent
4 a
: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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acutely
adverb
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