a. Psych. [f. SUB 1 a + L. līmin-, līmen threshold + -AL: coined to represent Herbart’s unter der Schwelle sc. des Bewusstseins under the threshold of consciousness (Psychol. als Wissenschaft 1824, I. § 47).] Below the threshold (see THRESHOLD 2 c, LIMEN) of sensation or consciousness: said of states supposed to exist but not strong enough to be recognized. Also, pertaining to ‘the subliminal self.’
1886. Ward, in Encycl. Brit., XX. 48/1. Even if there were no facts to warrant this conception of a subliminal presentation of impressions and ideas.
1892. Illustr. Lond. News, 8 Oct., 451/1. A pen, that strange conductor between the self he knows and the ‘subliminal self’ which is often flashing its surprises on him.
1892. F. W. H. Myers, in Proc. Soc. Psychical Res., Feb., 306. Feb., 306. The subliminal memory includes an unknown category impressions which the supraliminal consciousness … must cognise, if at all, in the shape of messages from the subliminal consciousness.
1902. F. Podmore, Mod. Spiritualism, II. 31. The extraordinary outburst of subliminal or automatic activity.
b. absol. That which is subliminal; the subliminal self.
1901. W. James, in Proc. Soc. Psychical Res., May, 18. Of the Subliminal, he [Myers] would say, we can give no ultrasimple account.
1903. F. W. H. Myers, Hum. Pers., I. i. 347. Scenes … which Sally as a subliminal noticed.
