In the process of becoming pointed or sharpening; gradually tapering to a point.
From Latin 'acuminare' + English '-ing' suffix. The '-ing' form indicates an ongoing or progressive action. In botanical contexts, it describes the characteristic of gradually tapering toward a point, as seen in certain leaf shapes.
The '-ing' form captures the process itself—not a leaf that IS pointy, but a leaf that IS BECOMING pointy as you look from the base toward the tip. It's like the difference between 'sharpened' and 'sharpening.'
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