ScienceAugust 9, 2026

sublethal

sub-LEE-thul

Definition

Causing significant biological stress or damage without actually resulting in the death of the organism.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'sub-' (under or below) and 'lethalis' (deadly), combining to describe something that falls short of being lethal.

In the news

The article uses sublethal to describe disease treatments or exposures that harm corals just enough to induce an immune response without killing them. This allows the corals to build resistance against future, more severe infections.

KAUST scientists discover corals can be trained to fight disease

Read the full article ↗

Arab News

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