The ability to understand and make good judgments about things quickly and clearly, especially in business or practical matters. Someone with financial acumen is good at handling money.
From Latin acumen, derived from acuere meaning 'to sharpen.' The root relates to acus (needle), suggesting a sharp or pointed mind. The word evolved to mean mental sharpness and keen judgment.
The same Latin root 'acuere' gave us 'acute' for sharp angles and sharp pain—so acumen literally means having a 'sharp mind.' Medieval scholars used this word to describe clever thinkers, and it's stuck around because there's something perfect about describing smart judgment as 'sharpness.'
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