The spelling of the phrase "renders insensitive" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Renders" is pronounced as /ˈrɛndərz/ while "insensitive" is pronounced as /ɪnˈsɛnsɪtɪv/. The letter "r" in "renders" is pronounced with its usual sound, and both "e" sounds are pronounced with an "eh" sound. In "insensitive," the first "i" is pronounced with an "ih" sound, followed by an "eh" sound for the letter "e." The second "i" is pronounced with an "ih" sound, followed by a "tiv" ending pronounced with an "ihv" sound.
The phrase "renders insensitive" refers to the action of making someone or something less capable or responsive to external stimuli, emotions, or sensitivities. It describes the process or effect of causing someone to become less sensitive, either physically or emotionally, towards certain matters, experiences, or situations.
In a physical sense, rendering insensitivity means diminishing someone's ability to perceive or react to sensations. For example, a numbing agent applied by a dentist renders the patient's gums insensitive to pain during a dental procedure. Similarly, in medicine, some treatments or medications may render certain body parts or nerve endings insensitive to specific stimuli.
In an emotional sense, rendering insensitivity pertains to reducing one's sensitivity or responsiveness to emotions, opinions, or social cues. It suggests a state where a person becomes indifferent, unaffected, or desensitized towards certain issues, typically due to repeated exposure or personal coping mechanisms. For instance, continuous exposure to violent movies may render an individual insensitive to graphic scenes, whereas constant criticism may render someone emotionally insensitive to negative feedback.
Overall, the phrase "renders insensitive" points to the process or result of diminishing sensitivity, whether it be physical or emotional, making someone or something less responsive, reactive, or affected by certain sensations, emotions, or stimuli.
The word "renders insensitive" does not have a specific etymology on its own as it is a combination of two words: "renders" and "insensitive". Here is the etymology for each of these words:
1. Renders: The word "render" comes from Middle English "rendren", which derived from Old French "rendre", meaning "to give back, present, yield". It entered English in the 14th century and originally meant "to deliver or surrender". Over time, its meaning expanded to include "to represent or depict" and "to cause or make". The word "render" ultimately comes from the Latin verb "reddere", meaning "to give back, restore".
2. Insensitive: The word "insensitive" is a combination of the prefix "in-" and the word "sensitive". The prefix "in-" is derived from Latin and generally indicates negation or absence.