Subliminal

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Subliminal \Sub*lim"i*nal\, a. [Pref. sub- + L. limen
     threshold.]
     1. (Philos.) Existing in the mind, but below the surface or
        threshold of consciousness; that is, existing as feeling
        rather than as clear ideas.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]


  
     2. having or using an intensity of sensory stimulus
        insufficient to be perceived consciously, but having an
        effect on unconscious mental processes; as, subliminal
        advertising.
  
     Note: The existence of such an effect is still not
           universally accepted.
           [PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  subliminal
       adj : below the threshold of conscious perception