susceptibility
susceptibility Lexical Profile
susceptibility Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The state or fact of being likely or liable to be influenced, harmed, or affected by a particular thing, such as a disease or external force.
"Genetic testing can help identify a patient's inherited susceptibility to certain cardiovascular conditions."
A person's emotional feelings or sensitivities, especially as liable to be easily hurt or offended (usually used in the plural).
"The diplomat phrased the proposal carefully to avoid offending cultural susceptibilities."
A quantitative measure of the degree to which a material becomes magnetized or polarized in response to an applied magnetic or electric field.
"The laboratory measured the magnetic susceptibility of the rock samples to determine their mineral composition."
Word Nuance & Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'to' when specifying the threat, condition, or influence (e.g., 'susceptibility to infection'). In the plural ('susceptibilities'), it distinctively refers to a person's delicate feelings or emotional sensitivities that are easily offended.
• Rhymes for susceptibility
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century from Medieval Latin susceptibilitas, derived from Late Latin susceptibilis ('capable of receiving'), from Latin suscipere ('to take up, receive, or undergo'), combining sub- ('up from under') and capere ('to take').