acuminate

[ adjective uh-kyoo-muh-nit, -neyt; verb uh-kyoo-muh-neyt ]

adjective

1. Botany, Zoology. pointed; tapering to a point.

verb (used with object)

, a·cu·mi·nat·ed, a·cu·mi·nat·ing.

1. to make sharp or keen.

acuminate

adjective

1. narrowing to a sharp point, as some types of leaf

verb

1. tr to make pointed or sharp

Derived Forms

• aˌcumiˈnation, noun

Other Words From

• a·cumi·nation noun
• suba·cumi·nate adjective
• suba·cumi·nation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of acuminate¹

1595–1605; < Latin acūminātus (past participle of acūmināre ), equivalent to acūmin- (stem of acūmen ) acumen + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of acuminate¹

C17: from Latin acūmināre to sharpen; see acumen

Example Sentences

Another species in crisis is the acuminate crayfish, which is unique to Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, experts said, and found largely in the Anacostia watershed.

From Washington Post

Dale’s team has focused on altering Cavendish plants by inserting a gene from the wild banana Musa acuminate malaccensis that confers resistance to TR4.

From Nature

A series of fortunate events brought me to a floor somewhere in the mid-twenties of London’s most acuminate skyscraper, the 72-storey, 306-metre Shard.

From The Guardian

Shell cylindrical, polished, spire conic acuminated, very short; outer lip simple, inner lip thickened, tumid, columella with numerous slender plaits, aperture at the base truncatedly emarginate.

From Project Gutenberg

Caudex much branched; pod glabrous, acuminate or acute, twisted, beaked with a longer distinct style.

From Project Gutenberg