Cute

Cute derives from acute, where through aphesis, the first letter of acute has been dropped. Cute meaning the same thing as acute dates from the mid-18th century and only acquired its more common meaning of attractive in a pleasing or dainty way in America during the 19th century. Depending on the context, cute can also mean cunning, sly or clever as in ‘don’t get cute with me’, which is also American from the mid-19th century. Cute has been noted by some as one of the most over-used words in the English Language. See also Aphesis