rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryacuitySharpness of perception
noun

acuity

uh-KYOO-uh-tee/əˈkjuːəti/

Sharpness of the senses or mind.

Her visual acuity helps her notice the camouflaged bird.

Birdwatcher with keen eyes detects a tiny camouflaged brown bird in twigs and points precisely toward it; a compact field view establishes visual acuity, no binoculars required.
Etymology
acuLatinto sharpen
+ityLatinstate or quality

The sharpening root was used both literally and figuratively in Latin. Acuity carries that image into perception and thought: their effectiveness is described as sharpness.

In context

Andrew Huberman25:09
The part of your vision that's highest acuity, highest detail, and yet, you don't see that ever.
The Science of Vision, Eye Health & Seeing Better

More examples

  • She admired his intellectual acuity.
  • The task required unusual sensory acuity.
  • Age had not diminished her mental acuity.

Forms

acuity

Similar words

sharpness
Sharpness is the ordinary equivalent; acuity specifically concerns perception or mental ability.
accuracy
Accuracy concerns correctness; acuity concerns how keenly distinctions are perceived or understood.