desensitized
UK[ˌdiːˈsensətaɪzd]US[ˌdiːˈsensətaɪzd]
adj
having had an emotional or physical reaction to something reduced or removed, especially through repeated exposure.
verb (past tense)
made less sensitive or reactive.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
sensit
ized
de
remove
sensit
sense
ized
made
Etymology
the word 'desensitized' is built upon the core latin root 'sensus', meaning 'feeling' or 'perception'. the prefix 'de-', also from latin, acts as a reversive or privative force, indicating removal or reversal. the suffix '-ized', derived from greek '-izein' via latin and french, signifies the process of making or rendering. therefore, the literal construction means 'made to have sense removed'. this evolved from a physical concept of dulling sensation to its modern abstract meanings, encompassing both the medical process of reducing allergic response and the psychological state of becoming less emotionally affected, often due to overexposure.
Analysis
Structure: de (remove) + sensit (sense) + ized (made)
de- (latin origin, prefix meaning 'down from, away, off, undo'); sensit (from latin 'sensus', meaning 'feeling, sense'); -ized (greek/latin via french, suffix forming adjectives/verbs meaning 'made, rendered').
Examples
after years of working in the emergency room, the doctor became somewhat desensitized to traumatic injuries.
the treatment desensitized the patient to the allergen.
constant exposure to violent media can desensitize people to real-world aggression.