How Do You Spell ACUITY?

Pronunciation: [ɐkjˈuːɪti] (IPA)

Acuity is a noun that refers to the sharpness or clarity of something, like vision, sound or intellect. Its IPA phonetic transcription is /əˈkjuːəti/. The first syllable is pronounced as schwa, followed by a long /kjuː/ sound, and ends with the unstressed vowel /əti/. The spelling of this word is interesting because it uses the letters 'c' and 'u' to represent the /kjuː/ sound, which is a combination of two sounds (consonant + vowel) that do not necessarily go together. This is an example of the quirks and irregularities that make English spelling challenging.

ACUITY Meaning and Definition

  1. Acuity is a noun that refers to the ability to perceive or discern things with clarity, particularly in terms of visual or mental sharpness. It is derived from the Latin word "acuitas," meaning sharpness or keenness.

    In terms of vision, acuity specifically denotes the sharpness or clarity of vision, whether near or far, typically measured using eye charts. It is a measure of how well an individual can differentiate between small details and perceive fine distinctions. Visual acuity is influenced by various factors, such as the health of the eyes, the ability to focus, and the brain's interpretation of the visual input.

    Beyond vision, acuity can also refer to mental sharpness or intellectual keenness. It encompasses the ability to think quickly, reason, and analyze information with precision and accuracy. Mental acuity is often associated with high levels of cognitive functioning, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and memory retention. It enables individuals to process information efficiently, make informed judgments, and engage in complex mental tasks effectively.

    Furthermore, acuity can extend to other senses, such as auditory acuity, which pertains to the sharpness of hearing, or tactile acuity, which refers to the sensitivity and discernment of touch.

    Overall, acuity encompasses the ability to perceive, comprehend, and detect with exceptional precision, whether in terms of vision, mental processing, or sensory perception.

  2. Sharpness, clearness, distinctness.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Top Common Misspellings for ACUITY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for ACUITY

Etymology of ACUITY

The word acuity comes from the Latin word acuitas, which is derived from the verb acuere, meaning to sharpen. The Latin word acuitas was then adopted into Middle English as acuite, before eventually evolving into the modern English term acuity.

Similar spelling words for ACUITY

Plural form of ACUITY is ACUITIES

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: