sublethal
- adjective
- /sʌbˈliːθəl/
- Specialized
- Given the mechanism of RNAi (gene suppression), it is possible that the nontarget effects experienced would be sublethal; it is unlikely that these effects would be measurable by looking at survival over time in the laboratory.
- sublethal effects
Examples
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Even if a waterway is considered unsuitable for human consumption under the Clean Water Act, exceedances of metals, nutrients, toxic algae, and pesticides may have sublethal effects on aquatic species.
Academic text (2011) -
The study found that sublethal doses of the drug can cause long-term health issues.
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Is the problem sublethal cellular injury?
Academic text (1997) -
Despite several negative effects of the low food treatment, it did not magnify the observed lethal and sublethal effects of winter.
Academic text (2018) -
It was observed that sublethal and chronic doses can cause OPID as well.
Academic text (2007) -
Compared with legacy organochlorines such as DDT, these chemicals are generally less persistent, more difficult to measure, and more likely to have sublethal than lethal effects.
Academic text (2011) -
Because parasitic and predacious insects often have complex searching and attack behaviors, sublethal insecticide dosages may alter this behavior and, in this way, disrupt effective biological controls.
Academic text (1992) -
Exposure to sublethal levels of pollution can still harm aquatic life in rivers.
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Farmers should be cautious, as sublethal pesticides can disrupt the behavior of beneficial insects.
Synonyms
Not able to cause death
Antonyms
How Lethal
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Sublethal breaks into sub- meaning 'under' or 'below' and lethal meaning 'causing death'. So sublethal literally means 'below deadly' — not strong enough to kill but still able to cause harm.