Acuity
/əˈkjuː.ɪ.ti/noun
Sharpness of perception, intelligence, or physical sensation.
Did you know?Acuity descends from Latin *acūtus* (“sharp, pointed”), from *acuere* (“to sharpen”), the same root behind the ancient idea that a sharp mind and a sharp weapon were spiritually linked.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ak-
“to be sharp, pointed”
Latin
Latin
acuere
“to sharpen, make keen”
Latin
Latin
acūtus
“sharp, pointed, keen”
Old French
Old French
acuité
“sharpness, keenness”
Middle English
English
acuite
“sharpness of perception or intellect”
Modern English
English
acuity
“sharpness of perception, intelligence, or sensation”