2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Sensitive  \Sen"si*tive\,  a.  [F.  sensitif  See  {Sense}.] 
  1.  Having  sense  of  feeling;  possessing  or  exhibiting  the 
  capacity  of  receiving  impressions  from  external  objects; 
  as  a  sensitive  soul. 
 
  2.  Having  quick  and  acute  sensibility,  either  to  the  action 
  of  external  objects,  or  to  impressions  upon  the  mind  and 
  feelings;  highly  susceptible;  easily  and  acutely  affected. 
 
  She  was  too  sensitive  to  abuse  and  calumny. 
  --Macaulay. 
 
  3. 
  a  (Mech.)  Having  a  capacity  of  being  easily  affected  or 
  moved  as  a  sensitive  thermometer;  sensitive  scales. 
  b  (Chem.  &  Photog.)  Readily  affected  or  changed  by 
  certain  appropriate  agents;  as  silver  chloride  or 
  bromide,  when  in  contact  with  certain  organic 
  substances,  is  extremely  sensitive  to  actinic  rays. 
 
  4.  Serving  to  affect  the  sense  sensible.  [R.] 
 
  A  sensitive  love  of  some  sensitive  objects. 
  --Hammond. 
 
  5.  Of  or  pertaining  to  sensation;  depending  on  sensation;  as 
  sensitive  motions;  sensitive  muscular  motions  excited  by 
  irritation.  --E.  Darwin. 
 
  {Sensitive  fern}  (Bot.),  an  American  fern  ({Onoclea 
  sensibilis}),  the  leaves  of  which  when  plucked,  show  a 
  slight  tendency  to  fold  together. 
 
  {Sensitive  flame}  (Physics),  a  gas  flame  so  arranged  that 
  under  a  suitable  adjustment  of  pressure  it  is  exceedingly 
  sensitive  to  sounds,  being  caused  to  roar,  flare,  or 
  become  suddenly  shortened  or  extinguished,  by  slight 
  sounds  of  the  proper  pitch. 
 
  {Sensitive  joint  vetch}  (Bot.),  an  annual  leguminous  herb 
  ({[AE]schynomene  hispida}),  with  sensitive  foliage. 
 
  {Sensitive  paper},  paper  prepared  for  photographic  purpose  by 
  being  rendered  sensitive  to  the  effect  of  light. 
 
  {Sensitive  plant}.  (Bot.) 
  a  A  leguminous  plant  ({Mimosa  pudica},  or  {M. 
  sensitiva},  and  other  allied  species),  the  leaves  of 
  which  close  at  the  slightest  touch. 
  b  Any  plant  showing  motions  after  irritation,  as  the 
  sensitive  brier  ({Schrankia})  of  the  Southern  States, 
  two  common  American  species  of  Cassia  ({C.  nictitans}, 
  and  {C.  Cham[ae]crista}),  a  kind  of  sorrel  ({Oxalis 
  sensitiva}),  etc 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  sensitive 
  adj  1:  responsive  to  physical  stimuli;  "a  mimosa's  leaves  are 
  sensitive  to  touch";  "a  sensitive  voltmeter"; 
  "sensitive  skin";  "sensitive  to  light"  [ant:  {insensitive}] 
  2:  having  acute  mental  or  emotional  sensibility;  "sensitive  to 
  the  local  community  and  its  needs"  [ant:  {insensitive}] 
  3:  able  to  feel  or  perceive;  "even  amoeba  are  sensible 
  creatures";  "the  more  sensible  parts  of  the  skin"  [syn:  {sensible}] 
  [ant:  {insensible}] 
  4:  hurting;  "the  tender  spot  on  his  jaw"  [syn:  {sore},  {tender}] 
  5:  used  officially  of  classified  information  or  matters 
  affecting  national  security 

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