Pronunciation: [ɐkjˈuːt] (IPA) 
The word "acute" is spelled with a silent "e" at the end. It is pronounced as /əˈkjuːt/, with the stress on the second syllable. The first vowel sound is a schwa /ə/, followed by the sound /k/ for the "c" and /juː/ for the "u". The final sound is a voiceless dental stop /t/. The word means sharp or intense, and is commonly used in medical terminology to describe a sudden onset of symptoms or illness.
Acute is an adjective that has multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. One common definition of acute is a description of something highly intense or severe. It often refers to a sudden onset of a condition or an illness that requires immediate attention or treatment. For example, an acute illness may refer to a short-term sickness that develops rapidly and exhibits intense symptoms.
Another meaning of acute is associated with mental abilities or senses. In this sense, it describes someone who possesses a sharp intellect or keen perception. An acute thinker is typically able to quickly and accurately analyze problems or situations, demonstrating a high level of intelligence and insight.
Acute can also be used to describe angles or shapes that are characterized by sharp or narrow points. For instance, an acute angle refers to an angle that is less than 90 degrees, and an acute triangle is a triangle where all three angles are acute.
In addition, acute can describe the acute medical specialty, which focuses on the immediate and intensive treatment of severe injuries or illnesses. Acute care usually takes place in a hospital setting, where medical professionals provide immediate and critical attention to patients in unstable conditions.
Overall, the term acute embodies various definitions related to severity, intensity, sharpness, and immediacy, depending on the context in which it is used.
1. Sharp. 2. Clever. 3. Of short and sharp course, not chronic; said of a disease.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Sharp; penetrating; opposed to dull or stupid.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "acute" comes from the Latin word "acūtus", which means "sharp" or "pointed". It is derived from the verb "acuere", meaning "to sharpen" or "to make sharp". The Latin term was then adopted into Old French as "aigu" before being transferred to Middle English as "acute" in the 14th century. The term is used in various contexts to refer to sharpness, intensity, or a condition or situation that is severe or critical.
