'argute' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'argūtus', where the root 'argu-' related to 'make clear' or 'prove'.

'argute' changed from the Latin 'argūtus' (later appearing in Medieval/Latinized forms and Old French influences) and eventually became the modern English word 'argute', with 'arguteness' formed by adding the noun suffix '-ness'.

Initially, it meant 'clear-sounding' or 'eloquent' (from Latin notions of clarity of speech), but over time it evolved into the current sense of 'sharply perceptive, cleverly subtle'.