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sensibility

Origin: Cf. F. Sensibilite, LL. Sensibilitas.

1. (Science: physiology) The quality or state of being sensible, or capable of sensation; capacity to feel or perceive.

2. The capacity of emotion or feeling, as distinguished from the intellect and the will; peculiar susceptibility of impression, pleasurable or painful; delicacy of feeling; quick emotion or sympathy; as, sensibility to pleasure or pain; sensibility to shame or praise; exquisite sensibility; often used in the plural. Sensibilities so fine! The true lawgiver ought to have a heart full of sensibility. (Burke) His sensibilities seem rather to have been those of patriotism than of wounded pride. (Marshall)

3. Experience of sensation; actual feeling. This adds greatly to my sensibility. (Burke)

4. That quality of an instrument which makes it indicate very slight changes of condition; delicacy; as, the sensibility of a balance, or of a thermometer.

Synonym: taste, susceptibility, feeling. See Taste.