acuate

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin acuātus, past participle of acuāre, variant of Classical Latin acuere, present active infinitive of acuō (“I sharpen”), from acus (“needle”).

Pronunciation

(adjective) IPA^(key): /ˈæk.ju.ət/
- Audio (UK) (file)
(verb) IPA^(key): /ˈæk.ju.eɪt/
- Audio (UK) (file)

Adjective

acuate (comparative more acuate, superlative most acuate)

Sharpened; sharp-pointed.

Verb

acuate (third-person singular simple present acuates, present participle acuating, simple past and past participle acuated)

(obsolete, transitive) To sharpen; to make pungent; to quicken.
- 1764, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury, The Life of Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury
  wicked dispositions shou'd have knowledge to acuate their ill intentions