The compound "temperature-sensitive" is a modern scientific formation, logically constructed from two established English words. "Temperature" originates from the Latin concept of proper mixing or moderation, evolving through medieval science to denote a measurable thermal state. "Sensitive" derives from the fundamental Latin verb for feeling or perceiving. When combined, they create a precise adjectival term whose meaning is transparently literal: describing a substance, material, or system whose properties or behavior are perceptively and measurably altered by changes in thermal conditions. This reflects a common pattern in technical English where a noun specifying a stimulus is hyphenated with "-sensitive" to indicate a specific reactivity.

Structure: temperature (state of heat) + sensitive (responsive) - temperature: From Latin 'temperatura' (a mixing in due proportion, moderation), from 'temperare' (to mix, regulate, moderate). In this compound, it functions as a noun denoting the specific physical condition (degree of heat or cold). - sensitive: From Latin 'sensitivus' (capable of sensation), from 'sentire' (to feel). In this compound, it functions as an adjective-forming element meaning "responsive to, affected by."