acumen English · revision 1936

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈækjʊmən/, /əˈkjuːmən/ ''(UK)''; /ˈækjəmən/, /əˈkjumən/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|acumen|t=a point, a sting; sharpness of mind]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) from ''acuere'' “to sharpen”,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) which is related to ''acus'' “needle”.^(AHD)^(Etymonline) It is related to [[acute]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Sharpness of wit; quick and penetrating perception (1531).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The Latin word meant literally “a point”, and figuratively “mental sharpness, shrewdness”;^(Etymonline) English took over only the figurative sense.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A botanical sense, a tapering point on a plant, is recorded from 1794.^(OED 1989)^(Wiktionary) Today the word is used especially of shrewd judgment in practical matters such as business.^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) Merriam-Webster dates it about 1579, later than the OED and Barnhart;^(MW Collegiate)^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995) Random House gives 1525–35.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1531 – keenness of perception (OED, Barnhart).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1530s – Etymonline's date.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1579 – first date in Merriam-Webster.^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1794 – ''(botany)'' a tapering point.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Quick, accurate and keen [[judgment]] or [[insight]], especially in practical matters; [[shrewdness]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(botany)'' A sharp, tapering point on a plant.^(OED 1989)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[acute]]

+ * [[acuity]]

+ * [[acid]]

+ * [[acme]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}