1.
2.
[syn: acuteness, acuity, sharpness, keenness]
3. the quality of having a sharp edge or point;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Acuteness \A*cute"ness\, n.
1. The quality of being acute or pointed; sharpness; as, the
acuteness of an angle. AS
[1913 Webster]
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 fine distinctions.
[1913 Webster]
Perhaps, also, he felt his professional acuteness
interested in bringing it to a successful close.
--Sir W.
Scott.
[1913 Webster]
3. Shrillness; high pitch; -- said of sounds.
[1913 Webster]
4. (Med.) Violence of a disease, which brings it speedily to
a crisis. AS
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Penetration; sagacity; keenness; ingenuity; shrewdness;
subtlety; sharp-wittedness.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
acuteness
n 1: a sensitivity that is keen and highly developed; "dogs have
a remarkable acuteness of smell"
2: a quick and penetrating intelligence; "he argued with great
acuteness"; "I admired the keenness of his mind" [syn:
acuteness, acuity, sharpness, keenness]
3: the quality of having a sharp edge or point [ant:
obtuseness]