/ əˈkjuːt; NAmE / adjective
1.
very serious or severe :
There is an acute shortage of water.
acute pain
the world's acute environmental problems
Competition for jobs is acute.
2.
an acute illness is one that has quickly become severe and dangerous :
acute appendicitis
OPP chronic
3.
( of the senses ) very sensitive and well developed
SYN keen :
Dogs have an acute sense of smell.
4.
intelligent and quick to notice and understand things :
He is an acute observer of the social scene.
Her judgement is acute.
5.
( geometry ) ( of an angle ) less than 90°
► acute·ness noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (describing a disease or its symptoms): from Latin acutus , past participle of acuere sharpen, from acus needle.