Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin sensitivus, probably alteration of sensativus, from sensatus sensate
Date: 15th century
1:sensory 2 2 a: receptive to sense impressions b: capable of being stimulated or excited by external agents (as light, gravity, or contact) <sensitive cells> 3: highly responsive or susceptible: as a (1): easily hurt or damaged; especially: easily hurt emotionally (2): delicately aware of the attitudes and feelings of others b: excessively or abnormally susceptible :hypersensitive<sensitive to egg protein>c: readily fluctuating in price or demand <sensitive commodities>d: capable of indicating minute differences :delicate<sensitive scales>e: readily affected or changed by various agents (as light or mechanical shock) <a photographic emulsion sensitive to red light>f: highly radiosensitive 4 a: concerned with highly classified government information or involving discretionary authority over important policy matters <sensitive documents>b: calling for tact, care, or caution in treatment :touchy<a sensitive issue like race relations> 5: having or showing concern for a specified matter —usually used in combination <a price-sensitive customer><environmentally sensitive policies>
