sensitize

(sĕnˈsĭ-tīzˌ)

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.

Related Forms:

• senˌsi·ti·zaˈtion (-tĭ-zāˈshən) noun

• senˈsi·tizˌer noun