adj 1  :  SENSORY 2 < nerves>   2 a  :  receptive to sense impressions  b  :  capable of being stimulated or excited by external agents (as light, gravity, or contact) <a photographic emulsion to red light>  < protoplasm>   3  :  highly responsive or susceptible: as  a  :  easily hurt or damaged < skin>  : esp  :  easily hurt emotionally  b  :  excessively or abnormally susceptible  :  HYPERSENSITIVE < to egg protein>   c  :  capable of indicating minute differences < scales>   d  :  readily affected or changed by various agents (as light or mechanical shock) <a colloid>  sen*si*tive*ness n 
 
   
 
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