acute
Meaning of acute: Having a rapid onset, short course, or marked severity.
Definition of acute
Acute describes a condition that begins suddenly, develops rapidly, or lasts a relatively short time. The exact time frame depends on the particular disease and clinical context.
Used in a sentence
The patient was evaluated for acute abdominal pain.
Good to know
Acute does not necessarily mean severe, and a severe condition is not necessarily acute.
Word origin
Where “acute” comes from
From Latin acutus, meaning “sharp.”