sensitize

verb

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.”

   “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.”

   “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 ].”

   “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.”

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.”

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

3. (transitive)To render capable of being acted on by actinic rays of light.