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sensibility
2 dictionary results for: Sensibilities
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
sen·si·bil·i·ty       [sen-suh-bil-i-tee] Pronunciation Key
–noun, plural -ties.
1.capacity for sensation or feeling; responsiveness or susceptibility to sensory stimuli.
2.mental susceptibility or responsiveness; quickness and acuteness of apprehension or feeling.
3.keen consciousness or appreciation.
4.sensibilities, emotional capacities.
5.Sometimes, sensibilities. liability to feel hurt or offended; sensitive feelings.
6.Often, sensibilities. capacity for intellectual and aesthetic distinctions, feelings, tastes, etc.: a man of refined sensibilities.
7.the property, as in plants or instruments, of being readily affected by external influences.
[Origin: 1325–75; ME sensibilite < MF < LL sénsibilitās. See sensible, -ity]

—Synonyms 1. Sensibility, susceptibility, sensitiveness, sensitivity refer to capacity to respond to or be affected by something. Sensibility is, particularly, capacity to respond to aesthetic and emotional stimuli: the sensibility of the artist. Susceptibility is the state or quality of being impressionable and responsive, esp. to emotional stimuli; in the plural it has much the same meaning as sensibility: a person of keen susceptibilities. Sensitiveness is the state or quality of being sensitive, of having a capacity of sensation and of responding to external stimuli: sensitiveness to light. Sensitivity is a special capability of being sensitive to physiological, chemical action or a tendency to be easily affected by the adverse reactions of others: the sensitivity of a nerve; sensitivity to criticism. 2. alertness, awareness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
sen·si·bil·i·ty       (sěn'sə-bĭl'ĭ-tē)  Pronunciation Key 
n.   pl. sen·si·bil·i·ties
  1. The ability to feel or perceive.
    1. Keen intellectual perception: the sensibility of a painter to color.
    2. Mental or emotional responsiveness toward something, such as the feelings of another.
  3. Receptiveness to impression, whether pleasant or unpleasant; acuteness of feeling. Often used in the plural: "The sufferings of the Cuban people shocked our sensibilities" (George F. Kennan).
  4. Refined awareness and appreciation in matters of feeling.
  5. The quality of being affected by changes in the environment.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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