sensitivity

Universal Words noun (plural sensitivities) to people's feelings 1 [U] ~ (to sth) the ability to understand other people's feelings: sensitivity to the needs of children * She pointed out with tact and sensitivity exactly where he had gone wrong. OPPINSENSITIVITY to art / music / literature 2 [U] the ability to understand art, music and literature and to express yourself through them: She played with great sensitivity. being easily upset 3 [U,C,usually pl.] a tendency to be easily offended or upset by sth: He's a mixture of anger and sensitivity. * She was blind to the feelings and sensitivities of other people. OPPINSENSITIVITY of information / subject 4 [U] the fact of needing to be treated very carefully because it may offend or upset people: Confidentiality is important because of the sensitivity of the information. to food / cold / light, etc. 5 [U,C,usually pl.] (technical) the quality of reacting quickly or more than usual to sth: food sensitivity * allergies and sensitivities * Some children develop a sensitivity to cow's milk. * The eyes of some fish have a greater sensitivity to light than ours do. to small changes 6 [U] the ability to measure very small changes: the sensitivity of the test OPPINSENSITIVITY