Main Entry:

¹sen·si·tive

Pronunciation:

\ˈsen(t)-sə-tiv, ˈsen(t)s-təv\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin sensitivus, probably alteration of sensativus, from sensatus sensate

Date:

15th century

1: sensory 22 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>

synonyms see liable

— sen·si·tive·ly adverb

— sen·si·tive·ness noun