limen

American  

[lahy-muhn] / ˈlaɪ mən /

noun

PLURAL

limens, limina

1. threshold.

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limen British  

/ ˈlaɪmɛn /

noun

1. psychol another term for threshold See also liminal

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Usage

What does limen mean? A limen is a threshold or border between one thing and another.In psychology and physiology, the word more specifically refers to the point or threshold at which a sensation, such as pain, becomes strong enough to be experienced. In this sense, the limen is the dividing line between the sensation being too faint to be noticed and the point where it starts to be felt.In medicine, limen refers to the opening or entrance to a body part, such as an anatomical canal.The adjective liminal can be used for all senses of the word limen to describe things that are located or exist at such a point. The state of existing at such a point is called liminality.The correct plural of limen can be either limens or limina.Example: This study will attempt to identify the limen at which the sensation of pain can be experienced by a patient.

Etymology

Origin of limen

First recorded in 1890–95, limen is from the Latin word līmen

Example Sentences

The truly important issues never get talked about in ad limina visits,” says Quinn.

From Time

True, he had spent so much time in Rome before his election, that he was able to escape in 1390 the triennial visit ad limina which was normally expected of an Abbot.

From Project Gutenberg

The lowest and highest intensity points of sensation are called the lower and upper limen, or threshold, respectively.

From Project Gutenberg