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sensible

adjective

  1. governed by common sense
  2. accessible to the senses
L42101 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈsɛn.sɪ.bəl/ / [ˈsɛn.sɪ.bl̩] / /ˈsɛn.sə.bəl/

adj

Etymology: From Latin sēnsibilis (“perceptible by the senses, having feeling, sensible”), from sentiō (“to feel, perceive”).

  1. Acting with or showing good sense; able to make good judgements based on reason or wisdom, or reflecting such ability.

    They ask questions of someone who thinks he's got something sensible to say on some matter when actually he hasn't.

  2. Characterized more by usefulness, practicality, or comfort than by attractiveness, formality, or fashionableness, especially of clothing.

    I only wear high heels on formal occasions; otherwise, I prefer sensible shoes.

    “Delightful vision! A comfortable armchair, situated in three different draughts, at every ballroom; and nice, large, sensible shoes for all the couples to stumble over as they go into the veranda!”

  3. Able to be sensed by the senses or the psyche; able to be perceived.

    For Plato the belief in sensible objects is fallible.

    Air is sensible to the Touch by its Motion, and by its Resistance to Bodies moved in it.

  4. Able to feel or perceive.

    Would your cambric were sensible as your finger.

  5. Liable to external impression; easily affected; sensitive.

    a sensible thermometer

    with affection wondrous sensible

  6. Of or pertaining to the senses; sensory.
  7. Cognizant; having the perception of something; aware of something.

    He cannot think at any time, waking or sleeping, without being sensible of it.

    A bright Meſſenger from Heaven, made the Man of GOD ſenſible, That a Remarkable Safety ſhould be granted unto him, and therefore unto all the Company vvith Him.

noun

Etymology: From Latin sēnsibilis (“perceptible by the senses, having feeling, sensible”), from sentiō (“to feel, perceive”).

  1. Sensation; sensibility.

    Our temper changed […] which must needs remove the sensible of pain.

  2. That which impresses itself on the senses; anything perceptible.

    Aristotle distinguished sensibles into common and proper.

    Accordingly, with respect to their knowability or opinability, Socrates makes no distinction among the sensibles between natural things and artifacts (510a5–6); both are relegated to the realm of opinion. Hence, there is no Socratic-Platonic biology.

  3. That which has sensibility; a sensitive being.

    This melancholy extends itself not to men only, but even to vegetals and sensibles.