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susceptible Definition

sus·cep·tible (sə sep′tə bəl)

adjective

easily affected emotionally; having a sensitive nature or feelings

Etymology: ML susceptibilis < L susceptus, pp. of suscipere, to receive, undertake < sus- (see sub-), under + capere, to take (see have)

susceptible Related Forms

sus·cep′·tible·ness noun sus·cep′·tibly adverb

susceptible Idioms

susceptible of

that gives a chance for; admitting; allowing testimony susceptible of error

susceptible to

easily influenced by or affected with susceptible to disease

susceptible Synonyms

susceptible

modif.

responsive, receptive, susceptive; see sensitive 3.

susceptible Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

render: Large areas have been burnt by uncontrolled forest fires and uneven regeneration of the forest renders the park particularly susceptible to any disturbance.

Infinitive complement

  • frost: They can be very susceptible to frost in harsh winters, causing them to hardly flower at all the next summer.
  • rust: In the past, tubs always used to be made of vitreous enamel, which was strong, but susceptible to rust.
  • attack: This makes the hydrogen atoms d + and susceptible to attack from solvent water, which is acting as a base.

Modifies a noun

  • genotype: At the same time those animals which show the most susceptible genotype will be removed from the breeding program.
  • livestock: A record of visits to premises with susceptible livestock should be kept by all staff.
  • specie: Bats are among the most susceptible mammal species to habitat fragmentation.
  • animal: They should seek to avoid going onto any premises where there may be susceptible animals.
  • cattle: BVD virus infection of susceptible pregnant cattle almost invariably results in the transfer of the virus to the fetus.
  • insect: This ensures susceptible insects are nearby to mate with rare resistant ones that may emerge from the Bt corn.

Modifying Another Word

  • genetically: Others are studying genetic factors to determine whether some people are genetically susceptible to developing PD.
  • peculiarly: A mob is peculiarly susceptible to Satan's influence.
  • particularly: Reading aloud TEFL seems to be particularly susceptible to myths.
  • notoriously: BMW, in particular, produces wheels that are notoriously susceptible to curb kissing.
  • moderately: Field bindweed seed is moderately susceptible to soil solarization.
  • unusually: It isn't clear that people with neuromuscular diseases are unusually susceptible to the nerve or muscle damaging effects of statins.

Used with adjective complement

  • prove: If it is located on the side of the vehicleâs body at the front, this can prove susceptible to damage and wear.
  • become: More genetic research will not alter the conditions in which people become susceptible to many diseases.
  • seem: During the period of rapid growth the algae scarcely seemed susceptible to viruses.
  • appear: Agents that appear susceptible in vitro may be much less effective in vivo.