'acritude' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'acritudo,' where 'acri-' meant 'sharp' and '-tudo' was a suffix indicating a state or condition.

'acritudo' transformed into the French word 'acritude,' and eventually became the modern English word 'acritude' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'sharpness or harshness,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.