acute

Definitions

1. adjective

   Brief, quick, short.

   Example

   • It was an acute event.
   ≈fast≈rapid≠leisurely≠slow
2. adjective

   High or shrill.

   Examples

   • an acute accent or tone
   • The nimble Fly's Wings quicker were / Than those of her Competitor [a bee], / As may by this appear; / For an acuter Tone they made, / And in a ſharper Key they play'd, / (Which made the matter clear.)
   ≠grave
3. adjective

   Intense; sensitive; sharp.

   Examples

   • She had an acute sense of honour
   • Eagles have very acute vision.
   ≈keen≈powerful≈strong≈peracute≠dull +3 more
4. adjective

   Urgent.

   Example

   • His need for medical attention was acute.
   ≈emergent≈pressing≈sudden
5. adjective

   With the sides meeting directly to form an acute angle (at an apex or base).

   ≠obtuse≠subacute
6. adjective

   Less than 90 degrees.

   Example

   • The teacher pointed out the acute angle.
   ≠obtuse
7. adjective

   Having all three interior angles measuring less than 90 degrees.

   Example

   • an acute triangle
   ≈acute-angled≠obtuse≠obtuse-angled
8. adjective

   Of an accent or tone: generally higher than others.

9. adjective

   Sharp, produced in the front of the mouth. (See Grave and acute on Wikipedia )

10. adjective

    Of an abnormal condition of recent or sudden onset, in contrast to delayed onset; this sense does not imply severity, unlike the common usage.

    Example

    • He dropped dead of an acute illness.