sensitivity

[sen-si-tiv-i-tee]

noun

plural

sensitivities 

1. the state or quality of being sensitive; sensitiveness.

2. Physiology.

   1. the ability of an organism or part of an organism to react to stimuli; irritability.

   2. degree of susceptibility to stimulation.

3. Electricity.

   1. the ability of a radio device to react to incoming signals, expressed as the minimum input signal required to produce a specified output signal with a given noise level.

   2. the input, as voltage, current, or the like, required to produce full deflection in an electric measuring device, expressed as the ratio of the response to the magnitude of the input quantity.

sensitivity

/ ˌsɛnsɪˈtɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being sensitive

2. physiol the state, condition, or quality of reacting or being sensitive to an external stimulus, drug, allergen, etc

3. electronics the magnitude or time of response of an instrument, circuit, etc, to an input signal, such as a current

4. photog the degree of response of an emulsion to light or other actinic radiation, esp to light of a particular colour, expressed in terms of its speed

Other Word Forms

• antisensitivity noun
• nonsensitivity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sensitivity¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; sensitive + -ity

Synonym Study

See sensibility.

Example Sentences

McLaren have managed Norris and Piastri with sensitivity and effectiveness, but the challenges do not lessen just because that has been the case so far.

Read more on BBC

In fact the vast majority of new cases involve children without the intellectual disabilities often associated with stereotypical autistic behavior, such as sensitivities to touch and an absence of verbal skills.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Results from the original study showed that the vegan diet led to greater weight loss and improvements in body composition, insulin sensitivity, and cholesterol levels.

Read more on Science Daily

Several people were granted anonymity due to the sensitivity of their experiences and privacy concerns.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The agency said the extraordinary sensitivity of the devices makes them fragile in real-world environments, where vibrations or electromagnetic interference can degrade performance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• awareness 
• feeling 
• nervousness 
• sense 
• subtlety 
• sympathy