Word of the Day - 09/15/26
obtuse
/əb'tus/(adj.): lacking in insight or discernment
His obtuse remarks showed he was completely lacking in insight regarding the complex situation.
(adj.): slow to learn or understand
Despite repeated explanations, the student remained obtuse, struggling to grasp the basic concepts.
(adj.): blunt in form; (of a leaf shape) rounded at the apex
The botanist identified the plant by its distinctive obtuse leaf shape, rounded at the tip.
(adj.): of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees
The interior designer recommended an obtuse angle for the wall, making it wider than a right angle but less than a straight line.
Word Origin
The word 'obtuse' originates from the Latin word 'obtūsus', which is the past participle of 'obtundere'. 'Obtundere' means "to blunt" or "to make dull" and is formed from the prefix 'ob-' (meaning "against" or "to") and 'tundere' (meaning "to beat" or "to strike").
Words with a similar origin, specifically from the Latin root 'tundere' ('to beat, strike, blunt'), include 'contusion' (from 'contūsus', past participle of 'contundere' meaning "to bruise") and 'retuse' (from 'retūsus', meaning "blunted" or "dulled at the apex").