sensitize

present singular third person sensitizes · participle present sensitizing · participle past sensitized · past sensitized · alternative sensitise

1. To make (someone or something) sensitive or responsive to certain stimuli.

   Anaphylaxis is the syndrome elicited in a hypersensitive subject upon subsequent exposure to the sensitizing antigen.

   1999, Michael A. Kaliner, “12: Anaphylaxis”, in Marianne Frieri, Brett Kettelhut, editors, Food Hypersensitivity and Adverse Reactions, page 257

   3 more examples

   Great emphasis should be placed on sensitizing the hands to the feel of the water, and the hands should remain sensitized throughout the workout.[…]Swimmers should sensitize the hands at the beginning of every workout by swimming the first 200 meters with their fists tightly clenched.

   2002, Cecil Colwin, Breakthrough Swimming, page 117

   BRCA1 sensitizes cells to apoptosis induced by antimicrotubulin agents like taxanes and vinca alkaloids and also abrogates the effect of DNA-damaging agents like cisplatin and etoposide [ 41 ].

   2012 September 19, Alphy Rose-James, Sreelekha TT, “Molecular Markers with Predictive and Prognostic Relevance in Lung Cancer”, in Lung cancer international, volume 2012, →DOI

   Again, I strongly recommend that you sensitize your collodion-coated plates in a tank, rather than a tray, as it is safer, cleaner, and more process-efficient.

   2015, Christopher James, The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes, page 441

2. To make (someone) increasingly aware of, in a concerned or sensitive way.

   Ever since the burglary, we've been more sensitized to home security issues.

   1 more example

   At least two stations have been sensitized towards the position gay media professionals […] have to take to protect their job security.

   1974 April 13, “Media Message”, in Gay Community News, page 8

   Synonyms: familiarize

3. transitiveTo render capable of being acted on by actinic rays of light.