/sen'si teuh zay"sheuhn/ , n.
1. the state or process of being sensitized.
2. Psychol. the process of becoming susceptible to a given stimulus that previously had no effect or significance.
3. Immunol.
a. a state or condition in which a previously encountered foreign substance triggers an immune reaction.
b. an immunologic state or condition that is evidenced by the acquired ability of a cell or individual to detect the presence of a foreign substance upon reexposure to the substance and to react immunologically.
[ 1885-90; SENSITIZE + -ATION ]