Armodia, Alessandro D.

Effective Communication I August 8, 2018

Mr. Miguel P. Bolo Jr. MWF 4:00-5:00 PM

Sensibility (n.) [sen-suh-bil-i-tee] -late 14c., "capability of being perceived by the senses;
ability to sense or perceive," from Old French sensibilite, from Late Latin sensibilitatem
(nominative sensibilitas), from sensibilis (see sensible). Rarely recorded until the
emergence of the meaning "emotional consciousness, capacity for higher feelings or
refined emotion" (1751).

Based on its etymology, the original meaning of the word sensibility is the capability of
sensing or feeling, being sensed or felt, easily understood or is reasonable. Then
sometime in the early 15th century, the meaning of sensible evolved to: "having good
sense, capable of reasoning, discerning, clever," mid-15c. Of clothes, shoes, etc.,
"practical rather than fashionable" it is attested from 1855. Meanwhile the word,
sensitive with its more modern interpretation has origins in the early 19th century as
"easily affected" (with reference to mental feelings) first recorded 1816; meaning
"having intense physical sensation" is from 1849.

The original Latin term, sensibilis, and consequently sensible, could have continued
meaning “capable of sensation and feeling” and “to perceive” i.e., to achieve
understanding of; apprehend.