Definition of acute

The word "acute" has a rich etymology. It originated from the Latin word "acutus," which means "sharp" or "edged." This Latin term is derived from the verb "acuere," which means "to sharpen" or "to make sharp." In English, the word "acute" initially referred to physical sharpness or pointedness, such as the acuteness of a knife or the sharpness of a sound. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to describe a range of concepts, including: * Medical sharpness or pointedness, as in an acute angle or an acute injury * Mental sharpness or acuity, as in acute perception or acute insight * Piercing or cutting critical commentary, such as an acute observation Throughout its evolution, the word "acute" has maintained its core connotation of sharpness, precision, and subtlety.