Vulnerable

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈvʌln(ə)ɹəbl̩/

Definitions

1. Open to attack, harm, or emotional hurt; susceptible to being wounded or damaged physically or mentally
2. Exposed to potential harm, either physically or emotionally, indicating a lack of protection
3. capable of being easily influenced or affected by external factors or conditions

Etymology: Latin "vulnerare" meant "to wound," and its derived adjective "vulnerabilis" meant "injurious" or "wounding" in the sense of something that could inflict a wound. English borrowed the later Late Latin form "vulnerabilis" through the same route as many formal words of the period, and the earliest meaning in English was literal: able to be wounded or injured physically. The idea of a person or thing being open to harm of any kind grew naturally out of that sense of a body that a blow could reach. Its modern sense, easily influenced or affected by outside pressures, is a figurative extension of that physical picture. A fortress with an exposed gate was vulnerable in the old military sense, and the same image of an opening through which harm could enter was later applied to finances, reputations and emotions. The Latin root "vulnus," meaning "wound," also gave English "vulnerary," a term for healing medicines, which shows the same root running in both directions, toward harm and toward cure.

Synonyms: exposed, susceptible, defenseless, weak, unprotected

Antonyms: invulnerable, secure, protected, strong, sheltered