acutely
UK: əˈkjuːtli | US: əˈkjutli
adv. in an intense or severe manner
adv. with sharp perception or insight
adv. (medicine) in a manner indicating a critical condition
acute<sharp> + ly<adverb suffix>
- acute: From Latin acutus (sharpened, pointed), derived from acuere (to sharpen), related to acus (needle). Retains the core idea of sharpness in both physical and metaphorical senses (e.g., pain or intelligence).
- ly: Old English adverb-forming suffix, indicating manner or degree.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to the Latin acutus, embodying the concept of sharpness. Over time, acute expanded from describing physical sharpness (e.g., an acute angle) to metaphorical intensity (e.g., acute pain or acute mind). The suffix -ly standardizes it as an adverb, preserving the root’s vivid imagery in modern usage.
She felt the loss acutely after her friend moved away.
The doctor observed the patient was acutely ill and needed immediate care.
He was acutely aware of the tension in the room.
The critic analyzed the film acutely, noting its subtle themes.
The pain returned acutely, making it hard to focus.