acute

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course

   acute appendicitis

2. 2
   adj

   of critical importance and consequence

   an acute (or critical) lack of research funds

3. 3
   adj

   extremely sharp or intense

   acute pain

4. 4
   adj

   having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

   an acute observer of politics and politicians

5. 5
   adj

   Brief, quick, short.

   It was an acute event.

6. 6
   adj

   High or shrill.

   an acute accent or tone

7. 7
   adj

   Intense; sensitive; sharp.

   She had an acute sense of honour

8. 8
   adj

   Urgent.

   His need for medical attention was acute.

Etymology

From Late Middle English acute (“of a disease or fever: starting suddenly and lasting for a short time; of a humour: irritating, sharp”), from Latin acūta, from acūtus (“sharp, sharpened”), perfect passive participle of acuō (“to make pointed, sharpen, whet”), from acus (“needle, pin”). The word is cognate to ague (“acute, intermittent fever”). As regards the noun, which is derived from the verb, compare Middle English acūte (“severe but short-lived fever; of blood: corrosiveness, sharpness; musical note of high pitch”).