OBTUSE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does obtuse mean? 

• OBTUSE (adjective)
  The adjective OBTUSE has 4 senses:

1. of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees

2. (of a leaf shape) rounded at the apex

3. lacking in insight or discernment

4. slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity

  Familiarity information: OBTUSE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OBTUSE (adjective)

Comparative: obtuser   
Superlative: obtusest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees

Antonym:

acute (of an angle; less than 90 degrees)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(of a leaf shape) rounded at the apex

Similar:

simple; unsubdivided ((botany) of leaf shapes; of leaves having no divisions or subdivisions)

Derivation:

obtuseness (the quality of lacking a sharp edge or point)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Lacking in insight or discernment

Synonyms:

obtuse; purblind

Context example:

a purblind oligarchy that flatly refused to see that history was condemning it to the dustbin

Similar:

undiscerning (lacking discernment)

Derivation:

obtuseness (the quality of being slow to understand)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity

Synonyms:

dense; dim; dull; dumb; obtuse; slow

Context example:

worked with the slow students

Similar:

stupid (lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity)

Derivation:

obtuseness (the quality of being slow to understand)

 Context examples 

“I have been very obtuse, Watson,” said he.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The lateral branch distal to a bifurcation of the second obtuse marginal artery.

(Lateral Second Obtuse Marginal Branch Artery, NCI Thesaurus)

The lateral branch distal to a bifurcation of the third obtuse marginal artery.

(Lateral Third Obtuse Marginal Branch Artery, NCI Thesaurus)

The lateral branch distal to a bifurcation of the first obtuse marginal artery.

(Lateral First Obtuse Marginal Branch Artery, NCI Thesaurus)

The shape has four distinct sides making a parallelogram with two inner obtuse angles and two inner acute angles.

(Diamond, NCI Thesaurus)

When he arrives he will be met by the obtuse but resolute Lestrade, and I have no doubt that we shall have all our details filled in.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The left circumflex coronary artery and all of its branches, including the obtuse marginals, left posterolateral and left posterior descending artery branches.

(Circumflex Artery and its Branches, NCI Thesaurus)

The segment of the left circumflex artery that is between the second and third obtuse marginal branches.

(Distal Circumflex Artery, NCI Thesaurus)

And now, having demonstrated this important conclusion so that it is clear to anyone, however prejudiced or obtuse, I am of opinion that we cannot do better than break up our camp and travel to westward until we find some means of ascent.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)