Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

sensitive

 - 5 dictionary results

sen⋅si⋅tive

  [sen-si-tiv]
Use sensitive in a Sentence
–adjective
1. endowed with sensation; having perception through the senses.
2. readily or excessively affected by external agencies or influences.
3. having acute mental or emotional sensibility; aware of and responsive to the feelings of others.
4. easily pained, annoyed, etc.
5. pertaining to or connected with the senses or sensation.
6. Physiology. having a low threshold of sensation or feeling.
7. responding to stimuli, as leaves that move when touched.
8. highly responsive to certain agents, as photographic plates, films, or paper.
9. affected or likely to be affected by a specified stimulus (used in combination): price-sensitive markets.
10. involving work, duties, or information of a highly secret or delicate nature, esp. in government: a sensitive position in the State Department.
11. requiring tact or caution; delicate; touchy: a sensitive topic.
12. constructed to indicate, measure, or be affected by small amounts or changes, as a balance or thermometer.
13. Radio. easily affected by external influences, esp. by radio waves.
–noun
14. a person who is sensitive.
15. a person with psychic powers; medium.
Origin:
1350–1400; < ML sēnsitīvus, irreg. formation on L sēns-, ptp. s. of sentīre to sense (see -ive ); r. ME sensitif(e) < MF sensitif, sensitive < ML, as above

Related forms:
sen⋅si⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sensitive
sen·si·tive   (sěn'sĭ-tĭv)   
adj.  

  1. Capable of perceiving with a sense or senses.

  2. Responsive to external conditions or stimulation.

  3. Susceptible to the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others.

  4. Quick to take offense; touchy.

  5. Easily irritated: sensitive skin.

  6. Readily altered by the action of an agent: film that is sensitive to light.

  7. Registering very slight differences or changes of condition. Used of an instrument.

  8. Fluctuating or tending to fluctuate, as in price: sensitive stocks.

  9. Of or relating to classified information: sensitive defense data; holds a sensitive position in the State Department.

n.  

  1. A sensitive person.

  2. One held to be endowed with psychic or occult powers.


[Middle English, from Old French sensitif, from Medieval Latin sēnsitīvus, from Latin sēnsus, sense; see sense.]
sen'si·tive·ly adv., sen'si·tive·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

sensitive 
c.1400, "having the function of sensation," from M.Fr. sensitif (13c.), from M.L. sensitivus "capable of sensation," from L. sensus, pp. of sentire "feel perceive" (see sense). Meaning "easily affected" (with ref. to mental feelings) first recorded 1816; meaning "having intense physical sensation" is from 1849. Original meaning is preserved in sensitive plant (1633). Meaning "involving national security" is recorded from 1953. Sensitivity training is first attested 1954. Sensitize first recorded 1856, originally in photography; of persons from 1880.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: sen·si·tive
Pronunciation: 'sen(t)-s&t-iv, 'sen(t)-stiv
Function: adjective
1 : SENSORY 2 <sensitive nerves>
2 a : receptive to sense impressions b : capable ofbeing stimulated or excited by external agents (as light, gravity, or contact) sensitive to red light> <sensitive protoplasm>
3 : highly responsive or susceptible: as a : easily hurt or damaged <sensitive skin>; especially : easily hurt emotionally b : excessively orabnormally susceptible : HYPERSENSITIVE <sensitive to egg protein> c : capable ofindicating minute differences <sensitive scales> d : readily affected or changed by various agents (as light or mechanical shock) sensitive colloid> —sen·si·tive·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

sensitive sen·si·tive (sěn'sĭ-tĭv)
adj.

  1. Capable of perceiving with a sense or senses.

  2. Responsive to a stimulus.

  3. Susceptible to the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others.

  4. Easily irritated or inflamed, especially due to previous exposure to an antigen.

  5. Relating to, or characterizing a sensitized antigen.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see sensitive on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way