a. [ad. L. argūt-us clear, sharp, keen, pa. pple. of arguĕre: see ARGUE.]

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  † 1.  Of taste: Sharp. Obs. rare.

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c. 1420.  Pallad. on Husb., IV. 572. [Figs] of savor pure Argute ynough.

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  2.  Of sounds: Shrill.

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1719.  in Glossogr. Nova.

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a. 1864.  Landor, To Barry Cornw. A rich but too argute guitar.

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  3.  Of persons, faculties, actions, etc.: Quick, sharp, keen, subtle, shrewd, esp. in small matters.

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1577.  [See next].

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1644.  Bulwer, Chiron., 112. With that argute and vehement action, his eyes were almost dazled.

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1676.  Phil. Trans., XI. 554. Curious and argute Historians.

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1818.  Q. Rev., XVIII. 234. Argute emendations of texts.

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1875.  Browning, Aristoph. Apol., 90. Thou, the argute and tricksy.

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