Subliminal

Alternative forms

• sub-liminal

Origin

Morphologically sub- + Latin līmen ("threshold") (genitive līminis) + -al, a calque of German unterschwellig ("beneath the threshold").

Full definition of subliminal

Adjective

1. (of a stimulus) Below the threshold of conscious perception, especially if still able to produce a response.

Synonyms

• underthreshold

Antonyms

• superliminal

Derived terms

• subliminal advertising
• subliminally
• subliminal message