51Թ

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View synonyms for

vulnerable

[ vuhl-ner-uh-buhl ]

adjective

  1. capable of or susceptible to being attacked, damaged, or hurt:

    a vulnerable part of the body;

    vulnerable to predators;

    a company vulnerable to a hostile takeover.

  2. open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc.:

    That is an argument vulnerable to refutation.

    He is vulnerable to bribery.

  3. (of a place) open to assault; difficult to defend:

    a vulnerable bridge.

  4. willing to show emotion or to allow one’s weaknesses to be seen or known:

    Men and boys are rarely seen as vulnerable.

  5. (of a person or population) needing supportive or protective social services and community resources because of advanced age, poverty, disability, etc.
  6. Bridge. having won one of the games of a rubber.
  7. Biology, Ecology. (of a threatened plant or animal species) likely to be classified endangered in the near future unless circumstances that threaten reproduction and survival improve, as categorized by the IUCN Red List: : VU

    At least 15 percent of our vulnerable reptiles are turtles.



vulnerable

/ ˈʌəəə /

adjective

  1. capable of being physically or emotionally wounded or hurt
  2. open to temptation, persuasion, censure, etc
  3. liable or exposed to disease, disaster, etc
  4. military liable or exposed to attack
  5. bridge (of a side who have won one game towards rubber) subject to increased bonuses or penalties
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈܱԱ, adverb
  • ˌܱԱˈٲ, noun
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ܱ·Ա····ٲ [vuhl-ner-, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], ܱ·Ա···Ա noun
  • ܱ·Ա·· adverb
  • ܲ·ܱ·Ա·· adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of vulnerable1

First recorded in 1610–20; from Late Latin ܱԱ “injurious, wounding,” equivalent to Latin ܱԱ() “to wound” + -bilis; -ble
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of vulnerable1

C17: from Late Latin ܱԱ, from Latin ܱԱ to wound, from vulnus a wound
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

However, Prof Alghrani said law makers would have to ensure legislation would not penalise already vulnerable people in society.

From

The local authority said it was also using the club to provide helpful advice to lower income and vulnerable residents.

From

While this trait suits their habitat, it also makes them vulnerable to modern threats.

From

The children's minister recognised the impact foster carers have "on breaking down barriers to opportunity and nurturing some of our most vulnerable children".

From

Who cares if you infect some physically vulnerable person who might die?

From

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