The word "resensitise" is spelled with a double "s" (ss) in the middle. This is because the prefix "re-" (meaning again), and the root word "sensitize" both end in a vowel sound. To avoid vowel collision, an extra "s" is added to make the pronunciation smoother. The IPA phonetic transcription for "resensitize" is /riːˈsɛnsɪtaɪz/, with the stress on the second syllable. The word means to make someone or something sensitive to a particular stimulus again.
The term "resensitise" refers to the process of restoring sensitivity or responsiveness to a specific stimulus or condition that has diminished over time. It involves reawakening or reactivating the capacity to perceive, feel, or react to something that once had an effect but has since become dulled or desensitised.
In a psychological context, "resensitise" commonly refers to efforts or techniques aimed at restoring emotional or psychological sensitivity to individuals who have become numb or desensitised due to prolonged exposure to traumatic events, distressing experiences, or chronic stress. This process typically involves therapeutic interventions, such as counseling, psychotherapy, or exposure therapy, which aim to re-engage the individual's ability to experience emotions and sensations that may have become muted or suppressed.
The term "resensitise" can also apply in a physical or physiological context. In this sense, it could refer to enhancing the response of a body tissue or system to certain stimuli. For example, in the realm of medicine, resensitisation may be achieved by adjusting medication dosage or changing treatment methods to restore the body's sensitivity to a specific drug or therapy. Similarly, in the field of sensory perception, resensitisation techniques can be used to heighten or restore sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as taste, touch, or smell, that may have decreased due to factors like aging or exposure to certain substances.
The word "resensitise" is derived from the combination of the prefix "re-", which means "again" or "back", and the verb "sensitize".
The word "sensitize" comes from the Latin term "sensibilis", which means "capable of being felt or perceived". It eventually evolved into the English word "sensitive" and developed the meaning of being responsive, susceptible, or easily affected by something.
When the prefix "re-" is added to "sensitize", it indicates the act of doing something again or returning to a previous state. Therefore, "resensitise" refers to the action of making something sensitive or responsive again, typically after it has become desensitized or less responsive.
Overall, the etymology of "resensitise" reflects its meaning of restoring sensitivity or responsiveness to something that has lost it.