A*cute" (?), a. [L. acutus, p. p. of
acuere to sharpen, fr. a root ak to be sharp. Cf.
Ague, Cute, Edge.] 1. Sharp at
the end; ending in a sharp point; pointed; -- opposed to blunt or
obtuse; as, an acute angle; an acute leaf.
2. Having nice discernment; perceiving or using
minute distinctions; penetrating; clever; shrewd; -- opposed to dull
or stupid; as, an acute observer; acute remarks, or
reasoning.
3. Having nice or quick sensibility; susceptible to
slight impressions; acting keenly on the senses; sharp; keen; intense; as,
a man of acute eyesight, hearing, or feeling; acute pain or
pleasure.
4. High, or shrill, in respect to some other sound;
-- opposed to grave or low; as, an acute tone or
accent.
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 a
right angle.
Syn. -- Subtile; ingenious; sharp; keen; penetrating; sagacious;
sharp-witted; shrewd; discerning; discriminating. See Subtile.
A*cute", v. t. To give an acute sound
to; as, he acutes his rising inflection too much. [R.]
Walker.