vulnerable

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   capable of being wounded or hurt

   The human body has many vulnerable parts.

2. 2
   adj

   susceptible to criticism or persuasion or temptation

   The government is vulnerable to bribery.

3. 3
   adj

   susceptible to attack

   The bridge is vulnerable from the south.

4. 4
   adj

   More or most likely to be exposed to the chance of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

   In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.’

5. 5
   adj

   More likely to be exposed to malicious programs or viruses.

   a vulnerable PC with no antivirus software

6. 6
   adj

   at moderate risk of extinction though not quite endangered.

   Welsh is merely a vulnerable language, but Irish and Scottish Gaelic are definitely endangered.

Etymology

From Late Latin vulnerābilis (“injurious, wounding”), from Latin vulnerō (“to wound”).