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hyperacuity

hyperacuity

9.9
A skill that lets you notice very small differences in what you see or hear better than most people
  • noun
  • /ˌhaɪpərəˈkjuːɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hiperagudeza
  • After years of practice, he developed a hyperacuity that enabled him to detect minute changes in sounds.

Examples

  • Finally, Williamson hypothesizes that the Coding subtest, which is a part of this factor, is a difficult visual task for children with hyperacuity because of the high edge detector demands of the task.

    Academic text (1992)
  • In the case of hyperacuity, it would appear that most LD individuals "see better" than the average person.

    Academic text (1992)
  • Williamson, in previously unpublished work, has been studying two phenomena known as hyperacuity and contrast sensitivity function.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The residue of these episodes has left me with an incredible hyperacuity (even an over-acuity sometimes) to "smell disapproval."

    Blog text (13)
  • This study also explored another way of looking at the LD/G population, that is, as persons who have atypical vision, specifically hyperacuity and high contrast sensitivity.

    Academic text (1992)
  • When I went on an Edgar Allan Poe kick in fourth grade, I was intrigued and appalled by the hyperacuity of Roderick Usher's senses in "The Fall of the House of Usher."

    Academic text (2002)
  • Individuals with hyperacuity can notice slight differences in colors that others might overlook.

  • Her hyperacuity allows her to distinguish between very close shades of blue.

Synonyms

sensitivity
vshyperacuity
  • Specialized
29 4.1

How well a device or test notices small changes

detects far smaller differences beyond normal sensory limits
sensibility
vshyperacuity
8 6.6

Ability to feel physical things like touch or pain

is about detecting extremely small differences beyond basic perception
acuity
vshyperacuity
  • Specialized
6 8.1

Ability to see small details clearly

focuses on much finer differences that exceed normal visual sharpness
visual acuity
vshyperacuity
  • Specialized
2 4.9

The sharpness of your sight that lets you see small details

is about detecting differences far below ordinary sight limits
sensitiveness
vshyperacuity
6.8

Ability to feel or notice very small physical changes

does the same but detects far tinier differences than usual
perceptivity
vshyperacuity
8.0

A quick ability to notice and understand things

relates to cognitive quickness rather than ultra-fine sensory detection

How Sensitive

hyperacuity
  • Specialized
9.9
acuity
  • Specialized
6 8.1
sensitivity
  • Specialized
15 4.2
insensitivity
16 5.5

Surface Forms

hyperacuity singular
hyperacuities plural

Morphology

hyperacuity = acuity (semi-transparent) = hyper + acuity

The word clearly combines 'hyper-' with 'acuity', but the technical sense of heightened sensory discrimination is somewhat specialized rather than fully predictable for an average learner.

Etymology

Hyperacuity combines hyper- meaning 'over' or 'too much', like in hyperactive, and acuity meaning 'sharp', as in 'acute' pain. So, hyperacuity means having 'extra sharp' senses and explains the ability to notice very small differences in what you see or hear.