Part 143

<hw>A*cu"i*ty</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[LL. <ets>acuitas</ets>: cf. F. <ets>acuit\'82</ets>.]</ety> <def>Sharpness or acuteness, as of a needle, wit, etc.</def>

<h1>Aculeate</h1> <Xpage=19>

<hw>A*cu"le*ate</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>aculeatus</ets>, fr. <ets>aculeus</ets>, dim. of <ets>acus</ets> needle.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <def>Having a sting; covered with prickles; sharp like a prickle.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Bot.)</fld> <def>Having prickles, or sharp points; beset with prickles.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Severe or stinging; incisive.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<i>Bacon.</i>

<h1>Aculeated</h1> <Xpage=19>

<hw>A*cu"le*a`ted</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Having a sharp point; armed with prickles; prickly; aculeate.</def>

<h1>Aculeiform</h1> <Xpage=19>

<hw>A*cu"le*i*form</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Like a prickle.</def>

<h1>Aculeolate</h1> <Xpage=19>

<hw>A*cu"le*o*late</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>aculeolus</ets> little needle.]</ety> <fld>(Bot.)</fld> <def>Having small prickles or sharp points.</def>

<i>Gray.</i>

<h1>Aculeous</h1> <Xpage=19>

<hw>A*cu"le*ous</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Aculeate.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> <i>Sir T. Browne</i>.

<h1>Aculeus</h1> <Xpage=19>

<hw>A*cu"le*us</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Aculei</plw> <tt>(#)</tt>.</plu> <ety>[L., dim. of <ets>acus</ets> needle.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Bot.)</fld> <def>A prickle growing on the bark, as in some brambles and roses.</def>

<i>Lindley.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <def>A sting.</def>

<h1>Acumen</h1> <Xpage=19>

<hw>A*cu"men</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>acumen</ets>, fr. <ets>acuere</ets> to sharpen. Cf. <er>Acute</er>.]</ety> <def>Quickness of perception or discernment; penetration of mind; the faculty of nice discrimination.</def>

<i>Selden.</i>

<syn>Syn. -- Sharpness; sagacity; keenness; shrewdness; acuteness.</syn>

<h1>Acuminate</h1> <Xpage=19>

<hw>A*cu"mi*nate</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>acuminatus</ets>, p. p. of <ets>acuminare</ets> to sharpen, fr. <ets>acumen</ets>. See <er>Acumen</er>.]</ety> <def>Tapering to a point; pointed; <as>as, <ex>acuminate</ex> leaves, teeth, etc.</as></def>

<h1>Acuminate</h1> <Xpage=19>

<hw>A*cu"mi*nate</hw> <tt>(#)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <def>To render sharp or keen.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark> "To <i>acuminate</i> even despair."

<i>Cowper.</i>