Sensitive
"Quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences; having or displaying a quick and delicate appreciation of others' feelings."
Morphological Anatomy
The root sense (from Latin sensus, meaning "feeling") is combined with the suffix -ive to create an adjective that describes the ability to perceive or feel.
Etymology Timeline
sensitivus
From sensus, the past participle of sentire ("to feel, perceive").
Sensitif
Borrowed from Old French sensitif, initially used to describe the power of the senses.
Word Family & Derivatives
A faculty by which the body perceives an external stimulus.
The quality or condition of being sensitive.
A physical feeling or perception resulting from something that happens to or comes into contact with the body.
In a sensitive way; with a quick and delicate appreciation of others' feelings.
Usage in Context
The word sensitive is used to describe both physical and emotional states. In science, it refers to instruments that can detect very small changes, such as a sensitive thermometer. In social contexts, it describes a person who is empathetic and aware of others' feelings.
However, being sensitive can also mean being easily offended or hurt. In information security, sensitive data refers to information that must be protected from unauthorized access due to its private or critical nature.
Example Sentences
- "He is a very sensitive person who cares deeply about his friends."
- "The skin around the eyes is very sensitive and needs special care."
- "The document contains sensitive information about the company's finances."