Dictionary entry

Acuteness

Webster's Dictionary 1913

A‐cute″ness, n. 1. The quality of being acute or pointed; sharpness; as, the acuteness of an angle.

2. The faculty of nice discernment or perception; acumen; keenness; sharpness; sensitiveness; — applied to the senses, or the understanding. By acuteness of feeling, we perceive small objects or slight impressions: by acuteness of intellect, we discern nice distinctions.

Perhaps, also, he felt his professional acuteness interested in bringing it to a successful close.

Sir W. Scott.

3. Shrillness; high pitch; — said of sounds.

4. (Med.) Violence of a disease, which brings it speedily to a crisis.

Syn. — Penetration; sagacity; keenness; ingenuity; shrewdness; subtlety; sharp-wittedness.