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[sen-si-tiv-i-tee] /ˌsɛn sɪˈtɪv ɪ ti/
noun, plural sensitivities for 2, 3.
the state or quality of being sensitive; sensitiveness.
  1. the ability of an organism or part of an organism to react to stimuli; irritability.
  2. degree of susceptibility to stimulation.
  1. the ability of a radio device to react to incoming signals, expressed as the minimum input signal required to produce a specified output signal with a given noise level.
  2. the input, as voltage, current, or the like, required to produce full deflection in an electric measuring device, expressed as the ratio of the response to the magnitude of the input quantity.
1795-1805; sensitive + -ity
Related forms
antisensitivity, noun, plural antisensitivities, adjective
nonsensitivity, noun, plural nonsensitivities.
1. See sensibility. Unabridged
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British Dictionary definitions for anti-sensitivity


noun (pl) -ties
the state or quality of being sensitive
(physiol) the state, condition, or quality of reacting or being sensitive to an external stimulus, drug, allergen, etc
(electronics) the magnitude or time of response of an instrument, circuit, etc, to an input signal, such as a current
(photog) the degree of response of an emulsion to light or other actinic radiation, esp to light of a particular colour, expressed in terms of its speed
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for anti-sensitivity



1803, from sensitive + -ity. Sensitivity training attested by 1954.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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anti-sensitivity in Medicine

sensitivity sen·si·tiv·i·ty (sěn'sĭ-tĭv'ĭ-tē)

  1. The quality or condition of being sensitive.

  2. The capacity of an organ or organism to respond to a stimulus.

  3. The proportion of individuals in a population that will be correctly identified when administered a test designed to detect a particular disease, calculated as the number of true positive results divided by the number of true positive and false negative results.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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