differential limen
- noun
- /ˌdɪf.əˈrɛn.ʃəl ˈlaɪ.mən/
- Specialized
- The psychologist measured the differential limen for sound intensity in her experiment.
Examples
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Training can sometimes lower an individual's differential limen, making small differences more perceptible.
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The differential limen is crucial in sensory perception.
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A person's differential limen may vary depending on the sense involved, such as hearing or touch.
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Researchers study the differential limens of various senses.
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The psychologist measured the differential limen for sound intensity in her experiment.
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Training can sometimes lower an individual's differential limen, making small differences more perceptible.
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Researchers study the differential limen of various senses to understand sensory perception better.
Synonyms
1
7.9
The smallest change in a sound, weight, or temperature that a person can notice half the time
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 feel that people notice half the time
The smallest change in something, like light or taste, that a person can notice
The smallest change in what you see, hear, or taste that a person can notice
How Sensitive
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is directly compositional: 'differential' relates to differences and 'limen' means a sensory threshold, so together they denote a threshold for detecting differences (i.e. the just-noticeable difference). Although technical, the logic mirrors the common term 'difference threshold' and is therefore predictable to a learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
Differential limen comes from two parts: differential meaning 'difference' and limen, an old word for a 'threshold' or small step. Think of a tiny step or the smallest change in a sound, light, or touch you can notice—so it means the smallest change in a stimulus a person can detect.