Word Origin and History for astute Expand adj. 1610s, from Latin astutus crafty, wary, shrewd; sagacious, expert, from astus cunning, cleverness, adroitness, of uncertain origin, perhaps from Greek asty town, a word borrowed into Latin and with an overtone of city sophistication (cf. asteism). Related: Astutely; astuteness.
Noun. 1. tabula rasa-a young mind not yet affected by experience (according to John Locke). mind, psyche, nous, brain, head-that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings; the seat of the faculty of reason; his mind wandered; I couldn't get his words out of my head.
1 Ras, an Ethiopian aristocratic and court title, as in Ras Tafari. 2  Ras, an honorific taken from the Ethiopian and used by members of the Rastafari movement.  Ras, a colloquial appellation taken from the Ethiopian for a high rank fascist dominating in one province.