sensitize (redirected from sensitises)

sen·si·tize  (sns-tz)

v. sen·si·tized, sen·si·tiz·ing, sen·si·tiz·es

v.tr.

1. To make sensitive: "The polarity principle . . . sensitizes the observer to the coexistence of seemingly contradictory phenomena" (Heinz Eulau).

2. To make (a film or plate) sensitive to light, especially to light of a specific wavelength.

3. To make hypersensitive or reactive to an antigen, such as pollen, especially by a second or repeated exposure.

v.intr.

To become sensitive or hypersensitive.

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[sensit(ive) + -ize.]

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sensi·ti·zation (-t-zshn) n.

sensi·tizer n.

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sensitize or -tise

Verb

[-tizing, -tized] or -tising, -tised to make sensitive

sensitization
-tisation n

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	sensitize - make sensitive or aware; "He was not sensitized to her emotional needs" sensibilise, sensibilize, sensify, sensitise alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue" desensitise, desensitize - make insensitive; "His military training desensitized him"
	2.	sensitize - cause to sense; make sensitive; "She sensitized me with respect to gender differences in this traditional male-dominated society"; "My tongue became sensitized to good wine" sensitise photosensitise, photosensitize - make (an organism or substance) sensitive to the influence of radiant energy and especially light excite, stir, stimulate - stir feelings in; "stimulate my appetite"; "excite the audience"; "stir emotions" desensitise, desensitize - cause not to be sensitive; "The war desensitized many soldiers"; "The photographic plate was desensitized"
	3.	sensitize - make sensitive to a drug or allergen; "Long-term exposure to this medicine may sensitize you to the allergen" sensitise alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue"
	4.	sensitize - make (a material) sensitive to light, often of a particular colour, by coating it with a photographic emulsion; "sensitize the photographic film" sensitise photography, picture taking - the act of taking and printing photographs alter, change, modify - cause to change; make different; cause a transformation; "The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city"; "The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue"