1. (a.) Sharp, pointed; discerning perceptive; as, an acute angle, an acute mind.

2. (a.) Having shrewd discernment; perceiving or using minute distinctions; penetrating; clever; shrewd; -- opposed to dull or stupid; as, an acute observer; acute remarks, or reasoning.

3. (a.) 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. (a.) High, or shrill, in respect to some other sound; -- opposed to grave or low; as, an acute tone or accent.

5. (a.) Attended with symptoms of some degree of severity, and coming speedily to a crisis; -- opposed to chronic; as, an acute disease.

6. (v. t.) To give an acute sound to; as, he acutes his rising inflection too much.