sensitivity has definitions from the fields of physiology,medicine
1
[ noun ] (physiology) responsiveness to external stimuli

Examples

: "sensitivity to pain"

Used in print

(William S. Haymond, "Is Distance an Original...)

Obviously , a satisfactory answer to the third question is imperative , if the argument is to get under_way at_all , for if there is any possibility of doubt whether the patient 's tactual sensitivity had been impaired by the occipital lesion , any findings whatsoever in regard_to the first question become completely ambiguous and fail altogether , of_course , as evidence to establish the desired conclusion .

It is as_follows : `` The usual sensitivity tests showed that the specific qualities of skin-perceptiveness ( pressure , pain , temperature ) , as_well_as the kinesthetic sensations ( muscular feelings , feelings in the tendons and joints ) , were , as_such , essentially intact , although they seemed , in_comparison_with normal reactions , to be somewhat diminished over the entire body .

2
[ noun ] the ability to respond to physical stimuli or to register small physical amounts or differences

Examples

: "a galvanometer of extreme sensitivity"

Used in print

(Cornell H. Mayer, "Radio Emission of the Moon...)

Measurements of polarization are presently limited by apparatus sensitivity and will remain difficult because of the low intensity of the planetary radiation at the earth .

The antenna patterns and the power gain at the peak of the beam were both measured ( Mayer , McCullough , and Sloanaker , 1958 b ) , so that the absolute power sensitivity of the antenna beam over the solid_angle of the moon was known .

(J. F. Vedder, "Micrometeorites", in Francis S. J...)

The diurnal_variation in the observed flux may be partly due_to the dependence of the detector sensitivity on the incident velocity .

3
[ noun ] sensitivity to emotional feelings (of self and others)

Synonyms

sensitiveness

Used in print

(E. Gellhorn, "Prolegomena to a theory of the emotions"...)

In both conditions the emotional and perceptual sensitivity is diminished , but no depression occurs such_as is seen clinically or may be produced in normal persons by drugs .

(Irving Stone, The Agony and the Ecstasy....)

And sensitivity '' .

(Leo Lemon, "Catch Up With" and "Something to...)

I asked Quasimodo recently how he accomplished this , and he replied that he had painted his model `` a beautiful shade of red and_then had her breathe on the canvas '' , which was his typical tongue-in-cheek way of chiding me for my lack of sensitivity .

4
[ noun ] (medicine) susceptibility to a pathogen

Synonyms

predisposition

5
[ noun ] the ability to respond to affective changes in your interpersonal environment

Synonyms

sensitiveness

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