1. administering an anesthetic to; causing loss of sensation or consciousness
Usage: British spelling; American spelling is 'anesthetizing'; present participle or gerund form of 'anesthetise'
2. making insensitive or unresponsive; dulling awareness or emotion
Usage: figurative use

Examples

• The dentist is anesthetising the patient's tooth before filling the cavity.
• The surgeon began anesthetising the patient in preparation for surgery.
• Constant exposure to violence can be anesthetising to children's emotions.
• The medication works by anesthetising the affected nerve endings.
• Years of routine work were anesthetising her sense of purpose.
• The doctor is anesthetising the area before the injection.