Both Uses
acute
in
Nine Stories
(Edited)
- 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 *acute = severely negative (sharp)
- She looked at me with a kind of fresh acuteness.
Story 6 *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)
-
(3)
(acute angle as in: an acute angle) ending in a narrow point or angle; or describing an angle measuring less than 90 degrees
- (4) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)