[a. Fr. acuité (16th c. in Litt.) ad. med.L. acuitāt-em, f. acu-s needle, acu-ĕre to sharpen; see -ITY.] Sharpness, acuteness; as of a needle, an acid, a disease, wit.
1543. Traheron, Vigo’s Chirurg., II. 63. In this case suppositories and clysters having some acuity or sharpnes seme more convenient, than medicynes receyved by the mouth.
a. 1554. Hooper, Commandm., i. Wks. 1843–52, 272. There is no acuity nor excellency of wit … that can comprehend or compass the doctrine.
1610. Healey, St. Aug., City of God, 914. They excell in acuity of understanding.
1678. R. R[ussell], Geber, II. I. IV. xiii. 116. Water admits not the Acuity of Ignition as Ashes doth.
1872. Thomas, Dis. Women, 145. The disease may at any time take on the characters of virulence and acuity.
