\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.