acuity
(əˈkjuːɪtɪ)
[a. Fr. acuité (16th c. in Litt.) ad. med.L. acuitāt-em, f. acu-s needle, acu-ĕre to sharpen; see -ity.]
Sharpness, acuteness; as of a needle, an acid, a disease, wit.
| 1543 Traheron Vigo's Chirurg. ii. 63 In this case suppositories and clysters having some acuity or sharpnes seme more convenient, than medicynes receyved by the mouth. a 1554 Hooper Commandm. i. Wks. 1843–52, 272 There is no acuity nor excellency of wit..that can comprehend or compass the doctrine. 1610 Healey St. Aug., City of God 914 They excell in acuity of understanding. 1678 R. R[ussell] Geber ii. i. iv. xiii. 116 Water admits not the Acuity of Ignition as Ashes doth. 1872 Thomas Dis. Women 145 The disease may at any time take on the characters of virulence and acuity. |