The contraction cute first appears in the early 18th century, but only a century later does it begin to take on its distinctive modern meaning; even after 1900 children were still being called cute as a compliment to their intelligence.
Word History: Cute was originally a shortened form of acute in the sense "keenly perceptive or discerning, shrewd." In this sense cute is first recorded in a dictionary published in 1731.
adj. attractive, esp. in a dainty way; pleasingly pretty: a cute child; a cute little apartment. affectedly or mincingly pretty or clever; precious: The child has acquired some intolerably cute mannerisms. mentally keen; clever; shrewd. adv. Informal Terms in a cute, charming, or amusing way; cutely: In this type of movie the boy and girl ...
