sensibility

n.; pl. Sensibilities [ Cf. F. sensibilité, LL. sensibilitas. ] 1. (Physiol.) The quality or state of being sensible, or capable of sensation; capacity to feel or perceive. [ 1913 Webster ]

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!” Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

The true lawgiver ought to have a heart full of sensibility. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

His sensibilities seem rather to have been those of patriotism than of wounded pride. Marshall. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Experience of sensation; actual feeling. [ 1913 Webster ]

This adds greatly to my sensibility. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Taste; susceptibility; feeling. See Taste. [ 1913 Webster ]