acuate

From Medieval Latin acuātus, past participle of acuāre, variant of Classical Latin acuere (“to sharpen”), from acus (“needle”).

• IPA^(key): (adjective) /ˈæk.ju.ət/

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• IPA^(key): (verb) /ˈæk.ju.eɪt/

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acuate (comparative more acuate, superlative most acuate)

1. Sharpened; sharp-pointed.

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

1. (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