Both Uses of
acute
in
Nine Stories
- The impact of this feat on the Dufarges was so acute that their hearts literally burst, and they dropped dead at the Laughing Man's feet.
Story 4 (definition 1) *acute = severely negative (sharp)
- She looked at me with a kind of fresh acuteness.
Story 6 (definition 2) *acuteness = sharpness (perceptiveness and/or intelligence)
Definitions:
-
(1) (acute as in: acute pain) sharp (severe or strong) -- usually negative
-
(2) (acute as in: acute sense of smell) sharp (highly perceptive in some area or mentally sharp)