susceptible

Susceptible is an adjective describing someone or something that is likely to be influenced, harmed, or affected by a particular factor. It can refer to vulnerability in a general sense, or to capacity for undergoing a specific process or reaction.

Etymology and usage notes: susceptible derives from Latin susceptibilis, from suscipere “to undertake, take up.” In modern English it is typically followed by to plus a noun or gerund, as in susceptible to disease, susceptible to heat, or susceptible to persuasion.

Biology and medicine: in medical and biological contexts, susceptibility indicates a predisposition to develop a disease or respond to a stimulus. Susceptible individuals may lack immunity, have genetic risk factors, be of certain ages, or have comorbid conditions that raise their risk. Susceptibility is assessed in epidemiology and immunology to identify populations at greater risk and to guide prevention, vaccination, and treatment strategies. The term also appears in materials science and engineering to describe a material’s vulnerability to processes such as corrosion or rust.

Psychology and social sciences: the term is used to describe receptiveness or openness to influence, such as being susceptible to persuasion or suggestion. This sense emphasizes cognitive or behavioral responsiveness rather than biological vulnerability.

Antonyms and related terms include immune, resistant, invulnerable, and insusceptible. Related nouns include susceptibility and the concept of being susceptible to a condition or process.

In summary, susceptible denotes a state of potential vulnerability or responsiveness across disciplines, with usage that ranges from clinical risk and biology to psychology and engineering.