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SENSIBILITY
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
(physiology) responsiveness to external stimuli; the faculty of sensation
Example:
sensitivity to pain
Synonyms:
sensibility; sensitiveness; sensitivity
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("sensibility" is a kind of...):
sensation; sense; sensory faculty; sentience; sentiency (the faculty through which the external world is apprehended)
Domain category:
physiology (the branch of the biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sensibility"):
acuteness (a sensitivity that is keen and highly developed)
hypersensitivity (extreme sensitivity)
reactivity; responsiveness (responsive to stimulation)
exteroception (sensitivity to stimuli originating outside of the body)
interoception (sensitivity to stimuli originating inside of the body)
photosensitivity; radiosensitivity (sensitivity to the action of radiant energy)
Derivation:
sensible (readily perceived by the senses)
sensible (able to feel or perceive)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Mental responsiveness and awareness
Synonyms:
aesthesia; esthesia; sensibility
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("sensibility" is a kind of...):
consciousness (an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation)
Antonym:
insensibility (a lack of sensibility)
Derivation:
sensible (able to feel or perceive)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Refined sensitivity to pleasurable or painful impressions
Example:
cruelty offended his sensibility
Classified under:
Nouns denoting feelings and emotions
Hypernyms ("sensibility" is a kind of...):
sensitiveness; sensitivity (sensitivity to emotional feelings (of self and others))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "sensibility"):
insight; perceptiveness; perceptivity (a feeling of understanding)
sensuousness (a sensuous feeling)
Context examples:
Fanny's attractions increased—increased twofold; for the sensibility which beautified her complexion and illumined her countenance was an attraction in itself.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
It turns from me; it will not suffer further scrutiny; it seems to deny, by a mocking glance, the truth of the discoveries I have already made,—to disown the charge both of sensibility and chagrin: its pride and reserve only confirm me in my opinion.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
An instrument to measure the degree of sensation, by determining at how short a distance two impressions upon the skin can be distinguished, and thus to determine whether the condition of tactile sensibility is normal or altered.
(Esthesiometer, NCI Thesaurus)
With a look of much respect, he immediately rose, and being introduced to her by her conscious daughter as Mr. Henry Tilney, with the embarrassment of real sensibility began to apologize for his appearance there, acknowledging that after what had passed he had little right to expect a welcome at Fullerton, and stating his impatience to be assured of Miss Morland's having reached her home in safety, as the cause of his intrusion.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
If I objected to having my bed made at five o'clock in the afternoon—which I do still think an uncomfortable arrangement—one motion of her hand towards the same nankeen region of wounded sensibility was enough to make me falter an apology.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
I could not excuse a man's having more music than love—more ear than eye—a more acute sensibility to fine sounds than to my feelings.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
Mrs. Ferrars was the most unfortunate of women—poor Fanny had suffered agonies of sensibility—and he considered the existence of each, under such a blow, with grateful wonder.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
He was by nature powerful of thought and sensibility, and the creative spirit was restive and urgent.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
So horrible was it that sensibility awoke long enough to be shocked.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
His wild and enthusiastic imagination was chastened by the sensibility of his heart.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
