adjective

1. that can be wounded or physically injured
2. 1. open to criticism or attack a vulnerable reputation
   2. easily hurt, as by adverse criticism; sensitive
   3. affected by a specified influence, temptation, etc. vulnerable to political pressure
3. open to attack by armed forces
4. Bridge liable to increased penalties and entitled to increased bonuses: said of a team which has won one game

Etymology: LL vulnerabilis, wounding, likely to injure (also, in pass. sense, vulnerable) < L vulnerare, to wound < vulnus (gen. vulneris), a wound < IE base *wel- > L vellere: see revulsion