I. ˈsen(t)səd.iv, -n(t)s(ə)tiv also -n(t)stəv adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French sensitif, from Medieval Latin sensitivus, of sensation, receiving sense impressions, irregular (influenced by Late Latin intellectivus intellective) from sensus, past participle of sentire to feel, perceive — more at sense
1. : conveying or receiving sense impressions
sensitive nerves
2.
a. obsolete : serving to affect the senses : functioning as a sensory stimulus
b. : experienced by means of the senses : sensuous
a sensitive pleasure
sensitive experience
3.
a. : possessing a capacity for sensation or feeling : receptive to external stimuli
b. obsolete : having capacity to react to stimuli but lacking power to reason
c. : capable of being stimulated or excited by external agents (as light, gravity, contact) functioning as stimuli
sensitive protoplasm
sensitive cells
d. : exhibiting irritomotility
a sensitive compound leaf
4. : having quick and acute sensibility either to the action of external objects or to impressions upon the mind and feelings : highly susceptible : easily and acutely affected
was too sensitive to abuse and calumny — T.B.Macaulay
as
a. : peculiarly or excessively susceptible to the action or effect of a usually specified factor (as drought, drugs, hypnotism) : hypersensitive — usually used with to
sensitive to moisture
sensitive to allergenic pollens
b. : fluctuating or liable to fluctuation ; especially : subject to unusual or excessive fluctuations in price and demand
a sensitive security
a sensitive market
c. : abnormally susceptible often because of a specific sensitization
sensitive to eggs
d. : having a capacity of being easily affected or moved : capable of indicating minute differences : delicate
a sensitive thermometer
sensitive weighing scales
e. : readily affected or changed by various agents
photographic paper is sensitive to actinic rays
a sensitive explosive is easily exploded by a shock
a sensitive colloid is readily coagulated
— compare photosensitive
f. : having a higher octane number when tested at specified slower speeds than when tested at specified higher speeds
sensitive gasolines
g. : high in radiosensitivity
5. : of or relating to sensation and the senses : sensory
6. : indicating by a relatively large angular change any slight movement of the observer toward or away from its center — used especially in nautical surveying and of a circle passing through two fixed objects and the observer's station so that the angle subtended by the chord joins the objects
7. of a tree or forest : marked by unevenness and irregularity in the growth of annual rings that is associated with variations in growing conditions in different years — opposed to complacent
8. : concerned with or held vital to the national security by reason of dealing with highly restricted information and materials : demanding or intended to be treated with a high degree of discretion and unquestioned loyalty
Synonyms: see liable
II. noun
( -s )
1. obsolete : an individual capable of sensory perception
2. : a person having or reputed to have occult or supernormal abilities (as for crystal gazing, clairvoyance, clairaudience, telepathy)
3. : a sensitive person
III. adjective
: having or showing concern for a specified matter — usually used in combination
customers are price- sensitive — C.J.Balcer