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Glite Dictionary
sensitizer

sensitizer

1 8.3
A chemical that helps a reaction start or go faster
  • noun
  • /ˈsɛn.sɪ.taɪ.zər/
  • Specialized
: sensibilizador
  • Nickel is a common sensitizer that often leads to allergic dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Examples

  • However, low molecular weight agents are generally classified as sensitizers, although most of them are not associated with the production of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) (Tarlo and Lemiere 2014).

    Academic text (2016)

  • Nickel is our most common sensitizer, causing many cases of allergic contact dermatitis.

    Academic text (2014)

  • A skin sensitizer can trigger an allergic reaction when it comes into contact with the skin.

  • A respiratory sensitizer may cause allergies in the airways after being inhaled.

Synonyms

catalyst
vssensitizer
  • Specialized
16 4.7

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without changing itself

enables the start of a catalytic reaction but is not the accelerating substance
catalyzer
vssensitizer
  • US
1 6.3

A person or thing that makes changes happen faster

focuses on initiating chemical catalytic action rather than general process speeding
elicitor
vssensitizer
  • Specialized
1 8.8

Something that makes a plant start a defense reaction

works by enabling chemical reaction onset rather than causing biological defenses

Surface Forms

sensitizer singular
sensitizers plural

Morphology

sensitizer = sensitize (transparent) = sensit + ize + er

Agent noun formed by adding the productive suffix '-er' to the verb 'sensitize', yielding a directly predictable meaning.

Etymology

The word sensitizer comes from sense and sensitive, which mean 'to feel' or 'be responsive'. So a sensitizer is something that makes a chemical more 'sensitive' or ready to respond, helping a reaction to begin or go faster.