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Glite Dictionary
😢 Too emotional 🔔 Too easily triggered
oversensitivity

oversensitivity

6.7
A device that reacts to very weak signals and gives false readings
  • noun
  • /ˌoʊvərˈsɛnsɪtɪvɪti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hipersensibilidad
  • During testing, we noticed that the oversensitivity of the sensor resulted in it activating even with minimal movement.

Examples

  • They may include (1) communication delays, (2) repeating words or phrases, (3) unresponsiveness to verbal cues, (4) social difficulties, (5) oversensitivity (sound, light, etc.), (6) resistance to change, (7) lack of direct eye contact, (8) odd or unusual repetitive play, and (9) self-stimulation.

    Academic text (2009)

  • The technician explained that the device's oversensitivity to minor changes could lead to frequent malfunctions.

  • In devices, oversensitivity can cause them to respond to environmental noise, making them unreliable in quiet settings.

Synonyms

hypersensitivity
vsoversensitivity
5 7.0

A very strong reaction to food, touch, or criticism

is about technical systems reacting to very weak signals and producing errors
hyperesthesia
vsoversensitivity
  • Specialized
1 9.9

An increased sensitivity to touch and other senses that makes even light contact painful

applies to systems that respond to minimal signal strength rather than human feeling
supersensitivity
vsoversensitivity
8.1

A state of very strong reaction to physical or emotional things

is focused on devices responding incorrectly to small incoming signals
hypersensitization
vsoversensitivity
  • Specialized
9.3

A change that makes the body react strongly to something after repeated exposure

describes the ongoing state of a device overreacting to small signals
oversensitiveness
vsoversensitivity
8.9

A tendency to feel hurt or upset very easily by words and events

refers to excessive technical reactions to weak signals and spurious errors

How Sensitive

oversensitivity
  • Specialized
6.7
sensitivity
  • Specialized
15 4.2
insensitivity
16 5.5

Surface Forms

oversensitivity singular
oversensitivities plural

Morphology

oversensitivity = oversensitive (transparent) = over + sensitive + ity

Formed by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ity' to the adjective 'oversensitive', producing a clear abstract noun of state.

Etymology

Oversensitivity comes from the prefix over- meaning 'too much' plus sensitivity, which links to sense meaning 'to feel' and to the common word sensor that 'feels' signals. So, oversensitivity for a device means it reacts to very weak signals or gives false readings because it is 'too sensitive'.