To sharpen to a point or make something extremely pointed and keen.
From Latin exacuatus, combining ex- (out) and acuatus (made sharp), derived from acus meaning 'needle' or 'sharp point.' The word evolved to describe the process of sharpening something to its finest point.
Medieval scholars used exacuate to describe sharpening their quills into perfect writing points—it's the same root behind 'acupuncture' and 'acute,' all connected to the image of something dangerous and needle-sharp.
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