1. (Physiology) Responsiveness to external stimuli:; SYN. sensitiveness, sensibility.
2. Sensitivity to emotional feelings (of self and others); SYN. sensitiveness.
3. Susceptibility to a pathogen; SYN. predisposition.
4. The ability to respond to affective changes in one's interpersonal environment; SYN. sensitiveness.
5. The ability to respond to physical stimuli or to register small physical amounts or differences:
6. The ratio of change in transducer output to a change in the value of the measurand.
7. The ability of an organism, or part of an organism, to detect changes in the environment. Although all living things are capable of some sensitivity, evolution has led to the formation of highly complex mechanisms for detecting light, sound, chemicals, and other stimuli. It is essential to an animal's survival that it can process this type of information and make an appropriate response.