Where does “acumen” come from?

Acumen comes from Latin acumen, formed from the Latin noun acus meaning "needle" or "sharp point," ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European h₂eḱ- meaning "to be sharp."

acumen (English): Quickness of perception or discernment;...

Definitions

  1. Quickness of perception or discernment;...

Ancestry of “acumen”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latinacūmena sharpened point
2Latinacusa needle, a pin; bodkin; bran, awn, chaff
3Proto-Italicakus—
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eḱus—
5Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂eḱ-sharp
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eḱ- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂eḱus →Every word from Proto-Italic akus →