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hypersensitive

[hahy-per-sen-si-tiv]
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adjective
  1. excessively sensitive: to be hypersensitive to criticism.
  2. allergic to a substance to which persons do not normally react.
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Origin of hypersensitive

First recorded in 1870–75; hyper- + sensitive
Related formshy·per·sen·si·tive·ness, hy·per·sen·si·tiv·i·ty, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

sorenessirritabilityinflammationtendernesssusceptibilityrawnessexcitabilityhypersensitivitytensenesssensitivityaversionvulnerabilityoversensitivity

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Contemporary Examples

British Dictionary definitions for hypersensitivity

hypersensitive

adjective
  1. having unduly vulnerable feelings
  2. abnormally sensitive to an allergen, a drug, or other agent
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Derived Formshypersensitiveness or hypersensitivity, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for hypersensitivity

hypersensitive

adj.

1827, a hybrid from hyper- + sensitive. Related: Hypersensitivity.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
hypersensitivity in Medicine

hypersensitive

(hī′pər-sĕn′sĭ-tĭv)
adj.
  1. Responding excessively to the stimulus of a foreign agent, such as an allergen; abnormally sensitive.
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Related formshy′per•sen′si•tive•ness null n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
hypersensitivity in Culture

hypersensitivity

An excessive or abnormal sensitivity to a substance. A person who is hypersensitive to a certain drug will often suffer a severe allergic reaction (see allergy) if given the drug.

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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.