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   sen·si·tive

   /ˈsensədiv/

   adjective

   • 1. quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences: "the new method of protein detection was more sensitive than earlier ones" Similar responsive toquick to respond tosensitized toreactive tosentient ofaware ofconscious ofalive tosusceptible toeasily affected byvulnerable toattuned totuned in torare:susceptive ofOpposite unresponsiveimperviousinsensitive
   • ▪ easily damaged, injured, or distressed by slight changes: "the committee called for improved protection of wildlife in environmentally sensitive areas" Similar delicateeasily damagedfragiletendersorepainfulrawOpposite resilienttough
   • ▪ (of photographic materials) prepared so as to respond rapidly to the action of light.
   • ▪ (of a market) unstable and liable to quick changes of price because of outside influences: "the Japanese were successfully entering many of the most sensitive markets"
   • 2. (of a person or a person's behavior) having or displaying a quick and delicate appreciation of others' feelings: "I pay tribute to the Minister for his sensitive handling of the bill" Similar tactfulcarefulthoughtfuldiplomaticdelicatesubtlefinely tunedkid-glovesympatheticcompassionateunderstandingempatheticintuitivefeelingresponsivereceptiveperceptivediscerningacuteinsightfulOpposite insensitiveclumsylike bull in a china shop
   • ▪ easily offended or upset: "I suppose I shouldn't be so sensitive" Similar easily offendedeasily upseteasily hurtthin-skinnedtouchyoversensitivehypersensitivedefensiveemotionalvolatiletemperamentalparanoidneuroticinformal:twitchyuptightrare:umbrageousOpposite thick-skinned
   • 3. kept secret or with restrictions on disclosure to avoid endangering security: "he was suspected of passing sensitive information to other countries"

   noun

   • 1. a person who is believed to respond to occult influences.

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘sensory’): from Old French sensitif, -ive or medieval Latin sensitivus, formed irregularly from Latin sentire ‘feel’. The current senses date from the early 19th century.

   Derivatives

   • 1. sensitiveness noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • S

     1

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • S

     1

   • I

     1

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • V

     4

   • E

     1

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