late 14c., in reference to the body or its parts, "having the function of sensation;" also (early 15c.) "pertaining to the faculty of the soul that receives and analyzes sensory information;" from Old French sensitif "capable of feeling" (13c.) and directly from Medieval Latin sensitivus "capable of sensation," from Latin sensus, past participle of sentire "feel perceive" (see sense (n.)).
Meaning "easily affected" (with reference to mental feelings) first recorded 1816; meaning "having intense physical sensation" is from 1849. Original meaning is preserved in sensitive plant (1630s), which is "mechanically irritable in a higher degree than almost any other plant" [Century Dictionary]. Meaning "involving national security" is recorded from 1953. Related: Sensitively; sensitiveness.
例文
1. The issue of foreign troops on Turkish soil is a sensitive one.
トルコ領に外国軍が駐留している問題は非常に敏感である。
2. Sensitive Cream will not strip away the skin 's protective layer.
敏感肌用クリームは肌表面の保護層を破壊しません。
3.He 's a sensitive lad and some of the criticism has stung him.
彼は敏感な若者で、いくつかの批判が彼を刺した。
4.Markets are very sensitive to any upsets in the Japanese economic machine.
市場は、日本の経済機器に発生するあらゆる問題に極めて敏感である。
5.The classroom teacher must be sensitive to a child 'sneeds.