absolute threshold
- noun
- /ˈæb.sə.luːt ˈθreʃ.hoʊld/
- Specialized
:
umbral absoluto
- The experiment aimed to determine the absolute threshold of sound, identifying the faintest sound that participants could hear.
Examples
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In psychology, the absolute threshold refers to the minimum level of stimulus that can be detected by individuals, such as the softest light they can perceive.
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Researchers often measure the absolute threshold of smell to understand how sensitive humans are to different odors.
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Efforts have been made to establish absolute threshold values above which seated persons are likely to be at risk of pressure sore formation.
Academic text (1992) -
A 50% absolute threshold is one of the most commonly used measures of sensory sensitivity (Gescheider, 1997).
Academic text (2009) -
As discussed above, it is desirable to establish low absolute thresholds for the occurrence of a threatened species in defining a KBA.
Academic text (2004) -
We therefore propose using percentage thresholds for the three irreplaceability criteria (in contrast to absolute thresholds for the threatened species criterion) so that thresholds vary according to the global population size of the trigger species.
Academic text (2004)
Synonyms
31
4.4
The smallest amount of a sound or touch a person can notice
1
5.3
The lowest level of sound, light, or touch that you can notice
A very small change in something you can see, hear, smell, taste, or touch
How Detectable
∞
1.0
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
31
7.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'absolute' (complete/total) modifies 'threshold' (the lowest detectable level), so the phrase denotes the definite smallest stimulus intensity that can be detected. Although mainly used in a technical/psychophysical context, the semantic contribution of each constituent is transparent and follows normal noun phrase composition, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reasonably infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Absolute threshold paints a simple picture: a threshold is the line at a doorway that something must cross, and absolute means a fixed, not-changing point. So the phrase came to mean the fixed point where a very faint sound, light, or taste becomes strong enough for a person to 'notice' it.