subliminal

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See also: sub-liminal

English[edit]

WOTD – 6 October 2022

Etymology[edit]

PIE word
*upó

The adjective is derived from sub- (prefix meaning ‘beneath, under’) +‎ liminal (“of or pertaining to an entrance or threshold”) (from Latin līminālis, from līmen (“doorstep, threshold; doorway, entrance; beginning, commencement”)[1] (possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *Heh₃l- (“to bend, bow; elbow”)) + *-mn̥ (suffix forming action nouns or result nouns from verbs)) + -ālis (suffix forming adjectives of relationship from nouns)). The English word is borrowed from German subliminal, or a calque of German unterschwellig (“subliminal”, literally “beneath the threshold”).[2]

The noun is derived from the adjective.[2]

Pronunciation[edit]

Adjective[edit]

subliminal (comparative more subliminal, superlative most subliminal)

  1. (physiology) Of a stimulus: below the limen or threshold of conscious perception, especially if still able to produce a response; also (generally), below the threshold where a response can be produced. [from late 19th c.]
    Synonyms: latent, underthreshold
    Antonym: superliminal
  2. (psychology) Without directed awareness or thought; subconscious (dated), unconscious. [from late 19th c.]
  3. (by extension) Of an advertisement, a message, etc.: conveyed in a manner that a person is unaware of being influenced by it. [from mid 20th c.]

Alternative forms[edit]

Derived terms[edit]

Related terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

without directed awareness or thought — see unconscious

Noun[edit]

subliminal (plural subliminals)

  1. (physiology) Chiefly preceded by the: something which is below the limen or threshold of conscious perception. [from late 19th c.]
  2. (psychology) Chiefly preceded by the: the subconscious (dated) or unconscious self. [from late 19th c.]
  3. (by extension) An advertisement, a message, etc., which is conveyed in a manner that a person is unaware of being influenced by it. [from mid 20th c.]

Hyponyms[edit]

Translations[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ “liminal, adj.”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, March 2022; “liminal, adj.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 “subliminal, adj. and n.”, in OED Online Paid subscription required⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, March 2022; “subliminal, adj.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

Further reading[edit]

French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

English subliminal, itself a calque from German unterschwellig.

Pronunciation[edit]

Adjective[edit]

subliminal (feminine subliminale, masculine plural subliminaux, feminine plural subliminales)

  1. subliminal
    Synonym: subliminaire
    Antonym: supraliminal

Derived terms[edit]

Further reading[edit]

Romanian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from French subliminal.

Adjective[edit]

subliminal m or n (feminine singular subliminală, masculine plural subliminali, feminine and neuter plural subliminale)

  1. subliminal

Declension[edit]

Declension of subliminal
singular plural
masculine neuter feminine masculine neuter feminine
nominative/
accusative 		indefinite subliminal subliminală subliminali subliminale
definite subliminalul subliminala subliminalii subliminalele
genitive/
dative 		indefinite subliminal subliminale subliminali subliminale
definite subliminalului subliminalei subliminalilor subliminalelor

Spanish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Morphologically sub- (“under, below”) + Latin līmen (“threshold”) (genitive līminis) + -al (“adjective”).

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /sublimiˈnal/ [su.β̞li.miˈnal]
  • Rhymes: -al
  • Syllabification: su‧bli‧mi‧nal

Adjective[edit]

subliminal m or f (masculine and feminine plural subliminales)

  1. subliminal

Derived terms[edit]

Further reading[edit]

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