difference threshold
- noun
- /ˈdɪfərəns ˈθrɛʃhoʊld/
- Specialized
:
umbral de diferencia
- Researchers measured the difference threshold of participants by gradually increasing the brightness of a light.
Examples
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The difference threshold for tasting salt in water varies from person to person.
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The difference threshold for sound is often measured in decibels.
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A person's difference threshold can be influenced by attention and fatigue.
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Researchers study the difference thresholds for various senses.
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A person's difference threshold can be influenced by attention and fatigue.
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Researchers measured the difference threshold of participants by gradually increasing the brightness of a light.
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The difference threshold for tasting salt in water varies from person to person.
Synonyms
The smallest change in how strong a sound, touch, or light feels that a person can notice
The smallest change in a thing, like sound, light or weight, that a person can notice
The smallest change in what you see, hear, or taste that a person can notice
The smallest change in a sound, weight, or temperature that a person can notice half the time
Antonyms
How Sensitive
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
1
4.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the smallest detectable change' is directly built from 'difference' (amount by which items differ) + 'threshold' (the minimum level), so it denotes the minimum change needed to notice a difference. Although the term is somewhat technical, this noun+noun composition follows ordinary compositional patterns and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.
Etymology
The term difference threshold comes from the image of a tiny doorway or step called a threshold that a difference must cross before you notice it. So it means the smallest change in a sound, taste, or sight that a person can 'notice'.