acuity

acuity
1. Sharpness, clearness, distinctness. 2. Severity. [thr. Fr., fr. L. acuo, pp. acutus, sharpen]
- absolute intensity threshold a. the minimal light that can be seen.
- resolution a. detection of a target having two or more parts, often measured by using the Snellen test types; indicated by two numbers: the first represents the distance at which an individual sees the test types (usually 6 m or 20 ft), and the second, the distance at which the test types subtend an angle of 5 min.; e.g., vision of 6/9 indicates a test distance of 6 m and recognition of symbols that subtend an angle of 5 min. at a distance of 9 m. SYN: visual a..
- spatial a. detection of the shape of a test object; e.g., perceiving polygons of the same size but with different numbers of sides.
- stereoscopic a. the detection of differences in distance by superimposition of slightly different retinal images into a single image to the brain.
- visibility a. recognition of an object on a background of different character.
- visual a. (V) SYN: resolution a..

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acu·ity ə-'kyü-ət-ē n, pl -ities keenness of sense perception <\acuity of hearing> see VISUAL ACUITY

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n.

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acu·i·ty (ə-kuґĭ-te) [L. acuitas sharpness] clarity or clearness, especially of the vision.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Acuity — may refer to:*Visual acuity, the behavioral ability to resolve fine image details *Acuity Insurance, an insurance company with headquarters in Sheboygan, Wisconsin *Acuity Solutions, a manufacturing consulting company with headquarters in Tigard …   Wikipedia

  • Acuity — A*cu i*ty, n. [LL. acuitas: cf. F. acuit[ e].] Sharpness or acuteness, as of a needle, wit, etc. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • acuity — index insight, perception, sagacity Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • acuity — (n.) early 15c., from M.Fr. acuité (16c.) or directly from M.L. acuitatem (nom. acuitas) sharpness, from L. acuere to sharpen, related to acus needle, acuere to sharpen, from PIE root *ak rise to a point, be sharp (see ACRID (Cf. a …   Etymology dictionary

  • acuity — ► NOUN ▪ sharpness or keenness of thought, vision, or hearing. ORIGIN Latin acuitas, from acus needle …   English terms dictionary

  • acuity — [ə kyo͞o′ə tē] n. [Fr acuité < ML acuitas < L acus, needle: see ACEROSE1] acuteness; keenness, as of thought or vision …   English World dictionary

  • acuity — /euh kyooh i tee/, n. sharpness; acuteness; keenness: acuity of vision; acuity of mind. [1375 1425; late ME acuite < OF < ML, LL acuitas, equiv. to L acu(ere) to sharpen or acu(tus) sharpened (see ACUTE) + itas ITY] * * * …   Universalium

  • acuity — n. mental; visual acuity * * * [ə kjuːɪtɪ] visual acuity mental …   Combinatory dictionary

  • acuity — [[t]ækju͟ːɪti[/t]] N UNCOUNT Acuity is sharpness of vision or hearing, or quickness of thought. [FORMAL] Caffeine gives a boost of energy and temporarily sharpens mental acuity …   English dictionary

  • acuity — a•cu•i•ty [[t]əˈkyu ɪ ti[/t]] n. sharpness; acuteness; keenness: visual acuity; acuity of mind[/ex] • Etymology: 1375–1425; < OF < ML, LL acuitās= L acu(ere) to sharpen or acū(tus) sharpened (see acute) + itās ity …   From formal English to slang

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