Acute

Adjective

Definition: (of an unpleasant or unwelcome situation or phenomenon) present or experienced to a severe or intense degree.

Definition: (of a person's senses) highly developed; keen.

Synonyms: Severe, Intense, Sharp, Keen

Antonyms: Mild, Slight, Dull

Examples:
  • The outbreak of the disease caused acute panic among the population.
  • She had acute hearing and could detect even the slightest sound.
Mnemonics:
  • Think of "acute" as "a-cute" which sounds like "a-cute" (a severe or intense version of "cute").

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "acute" originated from the Latin word "acutus," meaning sharp or pointed.

Historical Usage:

The word dates back to the late 15th century and has been used consistently throughout history with its original meaning of "sharp" and later evolving to include the sense of intensity.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Acute angle"

Explanation:

A small angle measuring less than 90 degrees.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "acute" with "chronic."

Explanation:

"Acute" refers to a severe and intense situation or phenomenon, while "chronic" refers to a condition or issue that persists over a long period of time. They have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.

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