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.
Betula is the Latin name for birch, from the Sanskrit bhurja, to shine. Papyrifera is from the Greek papuros, reed from. which paper was made, and the Latin ferre, to bear. Other common names are: canoe birch and white birch.