What does the suffix -ity mean in the word sensitivity?
The clapping crowd showed sensitivity as the player limped off the field.
A. quality of
B. belonging to
C. touch of
D. relating to
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is A. quality of.
Explanation:
The suffix -ity is commonly used in English to form nouns that indicate a state, condition, or quality of something. It is derived from the Latin suffix -itas, which conveys the meaning of “state of being” or “quality of.” When added to an adjective, it transforms the word into a noun that represents the inherent characteristic or condition described by the adjective.
In the case of the word sensitivity, the base word is sensitive, which is an adjective describing the ability to perceive or respond to stimuli, often in a delicate or responsive manner. The addition of -ity to sensitive turns it into sensitivity, a noun that refers to the quality of being sensitive. Thus, sensitivity represents the quality of being sensitive or the state of being able to sense or feel things keenly.
To better understand the role of -ity in this word, let’s break it down:
- Sensitive: Adjective describing a person, object, or system that is able to detect or respond to stimuli or emotions.
- -ity: Suffix meaning “the state or quality of.”
- Sensitivity: Noun referring to the state or quality of being sensitive, or the ability to perceive or respond to things in a subtle or delicate manner.
In the sentence, “The clapping crowd showed sensitivity as the player limped off the field,” the word sensitivity refers to the quality or awareness the crowd displayed, acknowledging the player’s pain and showing concern in a delicate or responsive manner.
Therefore, the correct meaning of the suffix -ity in the word sensitivity is A. quality of, as it indicates the state of being sensitive or the quality of showing responsiveness to a situation.